diff options
Diffstat (limited to '39260.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 39260.txt | 9610 |
1 files changed, 9610 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/39260.txt b/39260.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d1b5fce --- /dev/null +++ b/39260.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9610 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Great Fire in St. John, +N.B., June 20th, 1877, by George Stewart + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: The Story of the Great Fire in St. John, N.B., June 20th, 1877 + +Author: George Stewart + +Release Date: March 25, 2012 [EBook #39260] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE GREAT FIRE *** + + + + +Produced by Robin Monks, Linda Hamilton, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +RUINS OF THE GERMAIN ST. BAPTIST CHURCH BY MOONLIGHT. + +From a Sketch by John C. Miles, Artist.] + + + + + THE STORY + OF THE + =Great Fire in St. John, N.B.= + JUNE 20TH, 1877. + + BY + GEORGE STEWART, JR., + _OF ST. JOHN, N.B._ + + =Toronto:= + BELFORD BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS. + + ST. JOHN, N.B.: R. A. H. MORROW; MONTREAL, P. Q.: + DAWSON BROS.; TORONTO, ONT.: JAS. CLARKE & + CO.; DETROIT, MICH.: CRAIG & TAYLOR; + BOSTON: LOCKWOOD, BROOKS & CO. + + + + +[Illustration: PAPER MANUFACTURED BY CANADA PAPER COY MONTREAL] + +Entered according to the Act of Parliament of Canada, in the year one +thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, by BELFORD BROTHERS, in the +office of the Minister of Agriculture. + + HUNTER, ROSE, & CO, + PRINTERS AND BINDERS. + TORONTO. + + + + + TO + _GILBERT MURDOCH, C. E._, + MY FIRST FRIEND, + I DEDICATE THIS VOLUME. + =The Author.= + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + PAGE + The Great Fire--Its Extent--Its Terrible Rapidity--A Glance + Backward--What the People Passed Through--The First Fire-- + Protective Movements--The People who Lent the City Money-- + Minor Fires--Fire of 1823--The Great Fire of 1837--The + Calamity of 1839--The Trials of 1841--The King Street Fire 9 + + +CHAPTER II. + + The Late Fire--Its Origin--Bravery of the Firemen--The High + Wind--The Fire's Career--Fighting the Flames--Almost Lost-- + The Escape from the Burning Building--Destruction of Dock + Street--Smyth Street in Flames--The Wharves--Demolition of + Market Square--Something about the Business Houses there-- + The Banks--Fire Checked at North Street 19 + + +CHAPTER III. + + The Fire in King Street--Recollections--The Old Coffee House + Corner--The Stores in King Street--The Old Masonic Hall--The + St. John Hotel--Its Early Days--The Bell Tower--King Square-- + A Night of Horror--The Vultures at Work--Plundering the + Destitute 27 + + +CHAPTER IV. + + The Fire in Germain Street--The First Brick House in St. John + --Old Trinity--The Loyalists--Curious Ideas about Insurance-- + The Rectors of Trinity--The Clock--The Royal Arms 36 + + +CHAPTER V. + + The Old Curiosity Shop on Germain Street--A Quaint Old Place + --"Rubbish Shot Here"--Notman's Studio--The Mother of Methodism + --Destruction of the Germain Street Methodist Church--Burning + of the Academy of Music--The Old Grammar School--Presbyterians + among the Loyalists--The "Auld Kirk"--Saint Andrew's--The Grants + of Land--Legislation--The Building of the Kirk--Ministers--The + "Victoria" in Flames--Fascination of the Fire--The "Victoria" + in Ruins--What might have saved it 48 + + +CHAPTER VI. + + The Odd Fellows' Hall--The Fire in Horsfield Street--The sweep + along Germain Street--The Old Baptist Church--Some Early + Ministers--Two Fiery Ordeals--The Brick Church--The Ruins--The + Bay View Hotel--An Old Landmark Gone--The Blazing Barracks--St. + James's--The Hazon House--St. Malachi's Chapel--The First Roman + Catholic Church 65 + + +CHAPTER VII. + + A Hard-Working Manager--The Dramatic Lyceum--The Temperance + Hall--The Water-Works Building--A Hard Fight--Another Rush + of the Homeless--The Weary March of the Unfortunates--History + of the Water Supply--Early Struggles--Changes--The Old Way-- + The St. John Water Company--Placed in Commission--The Company + to-day 76 + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Burning of the Leinster Street Baptist Church--The Varley + School--Centenary Chapel--The Gas Works--$17,000 worth of Coal + burned in Ten Days--The Tall Sentinel--St. David's Kirk--The + Reformed Presbyterian Church--The Victoria School--Gigantic + Ruins--An Accident--Sketch of the School-house 90 + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Queen Square--Incidents in the Burning--The Old Pitcher--"God + is burning up the World, and He won't make another"--Saved + from the Flames--Overtaken by Fire Three Times--The Night of + Terror on Queen Square--Alone amidst Perils--The Lone House + on the Square--Three People under a Table--The Sailor--"If I + die to-night, sir, hunt them up"--The Escape--The Deserted + Streets--An Anomaly--The Marine Hospital--What a few Buckets + of Water did--The Wiggins Orphan Asylum--The Block in + Canterbury Street--The _News_ Office--Savings Bank 101 + + +CHAPTER X. + + Incidents--An Old Corner Burned Down--The Lenders and Borrowers + --"Twenty per Cent."--The Shylocks of the Curbstone--The Human + Barometers--The Vultures of Commerce--Chubbe's Corner--The + Old Commercial Bank--The _Telegraph_ Office--The Bank of + New Brunswick--A Hard Worked Cashier--The Post Office--Not + a Mail Lost--Quick Dispatch--The Nethery House and Orangemen + --The Royal Hotel--The Custom House--The Dead of the + Conflagration 114 + + +CHAPTER XI. + + The Old House on the Hill--A Wily Commissary--The Bags of + Gold--What was Done at Midnight--The Dead of Night Deposit-- + The Old Vault--A Timid Money Lender--Mr. Peter Johnson--The + Board of Commissioners--The Old Gentleman's Little Joke--The + Inspection--How it was Discovered--The Fight with the Flames + --"How much will I Get"--What he Got--The Oil Barrels--Dashing + the Water on the Kerosene--A Lively Time on Reed's Point + Wharf--The Bridge of Fire--On the Ferry-Boat--The Western + Union Telegraph Office--The First Despatch 129 + + +CHAPTER XII. + + A Thrilling Incident--The Burning House--The Tall Figure on + the Hall--Escape Cut Off--The Only Way Out--The Street of + Fire--Walking on Coals--The Open Boat--The Way to the Wharf + --Terrible Suffering--The Awful Death on the Street--Worn + Out--The Escape--Saved--The Firemen--How they Fought the Flames 144 + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + A Chapter of Incidents--Agony on Board--Coming Up the Harbour + --The Story of the Moths--The Newly Married Lady's Story--No + Flour--Moving Out--Saving the Drugs--The Man with the Corn + Plasters--Incendiarism--Scenes--Thievery--The Newspapers-- + Enterprise--Blowing Down the Walls--An Act of Bravery--The Fatal + Blast--Danger and Death in the Walls--Accidents--The Fire and + the Church--The Ministers 155 + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + "I went againe to the ruines, for it was no longer a Citty"-- + The Drive by Moonlight--Through the Ruins--After the Fire--A + City of Ashes--The Buried Silver--The Sentinel Chimneys--The + Home of Luxuriance--A Recollection--The Moon and the Church-- + Back again 167 + + +CHAPTER XV. + + Aid for St. John--The First Days--How the Poor were Fed-- + Organization of the St. John Relief and Aid Society--Its + System--How it operates--The Rink--The Car Shed--List of + Moneys and Supplies received--The Noble Contributions 175 + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + The Odd Fellows and the Fire--Relief Committee at Work-- + Searching out the Destitute Brethren--Helping the Sufferers + --The Secret Distribution of Aid--List of Donations 203 + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + The Losses of the Masonic Fraternity--Great Destruction of + Masonic Regalia and Paraphernalia--Organization of the + General Masonic Board of Relief--Amount received in Aid of + the Suffering Brethren 239 + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + The Destruction--The Loss--Estimates--The Acreage and + Streetage--Has the Land Decreased in Value?--Incomes swept + away--What is Left--Hope!--The Insurance--The Corporation + Loss--The Dominion Loss--Additional Deaths--The Wounded-- + The Orange Body 244 + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + The Books we have Lost--"The Lost Arts"--The Libraries of + St. John which were Burned--The Pictures which were Lost--The + few that were Saved--A Talk about Books and Pictures--The + Future--What St. John Men must Do--Acknowledgments--Conclusion + of the Story of the Fire 259 + + + + + THE STORY + OF THE + GREAT FIRE IN ST. JOHN, N.B. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + The Great Fire--Its Extent--Its Terrible Rapidity--A Glance + Backward--What the People Passed Through--The First Fire-- + Protective Movements--The People Who Lent the City Money-- + Minor Fires--Fire of 1823--The Great Fire of 1837--The + Calamity of 1839--The Trials of 1841--The King Street Fire. + + +One of the most destructive fires of modern times occurred at St. John, +N.B., on Wednesday, the 20th June, 1877. It was more calamitous in its +character than the terrible conflagration which plunged portions of +Chicago into ruin, and laid waste the great business houses of Boston a +few years ago. In a relative sense, the St. John fire was a greater +calamity, and its people for a time suffered sterner hardships. The fire +in the large American cities was confined to a certain locality, but in +St. John an immense area of territory was destroyed in the incredibly +short space of nine hours, and fully two-fifths of the entire city were +laid in ashes, and one thousand six hundred and twelve houses levelled +to the earth. The fire raged with overwhelming violence, carrying in its +wake everything that came before it. At one time three portions of the +city were burning at once, and all hope of checking the conflagration +died in the hearts of men as the terrific volume of flame thundered and +crackled, and hissed in sheets over their heads. The blinding smoke +rolled heavenwards in a thick heavy mass; the flying embers were carried +along for miles, and the brisk north-western wind brought the destroying +flame to a thousand households. Men and women stood paralyzed in the +streets, fearing the worst and hoping against hope. Those who had worked +all afternoon trying to save their property now sank to the earth and +barely escaped with their lives, for the fire was upon them. Nothing +appeared to stay the march of the fiend. Immense piles, that seemed to +stand like an army of picked guardsmen, were swept away in an instant; +granite, freestone, brick and marble were as ineffectual in staying the +conflagration as the dryest tinder-box houses which fed the flames at +every turn. Even old stone buildings that had stood for sixty years, in +the outskirts of the city, and had withstood many a serious fire before, +now crumbled and tumbled before the conquering scourge.[A] 200 acres +were destroyed, all that part of the city south of King Street, +regiments of houses, stores and public buildings were burned, and the +fire was only stayed when the water-line prevented its going further. +The boundary of the burnt district followed a line on the eastern and +northern sides of Union Street to Mill Street, Mill Street to Dock +Street, northern and eastern sides of Market Square, centre of King +Street to Pitt Street, Pitt Street to its junction with the water; +thence around by the harbour-line to the starting point. In brief, this +was the battle-ground through which the grand charge of the fire was +made--unparalleled in its brilliancy by any similar exploit which the +annals of military deeds unfold. Men, horses, rows of stoutest building +material, steam, water, all succumbed and went down like chaff before +the whirlwind. Nothing was too strong to resist, nothing too weak to +receive clemency. + +A glance at the earlier history of St. John will show that destructive +fires have been of frequent occurrence, and its people have suffered +much from this system of devastation. In 1784, on Friday, the 18th June, +the first fire of which we have any knowledge took place. At that time +it was considered a terrible blow, and the sparse population thought +that many years would elapse before the little city could recover from +the wreck which the fire had made. Eleven houses were burned, and a +large number of discharged soldiers of the 42nd Regiment were the +principal sufferers. About this time a woman and child were burned to +death at the Falls, and seven houses in this quarter were destroyed. + +In April, 1787, the people decided to take active measures for +protection against fire, and accordingly the following document was +drawn up: + + We, the subscribers, taking into our serious consideration the + alarming situation of the city for want of fire-engines and public + wells, should a fire break out in any part of it, and, at the same + time, being sensible of the present inability of the city + corporation to advance money for the purpose, do severally promise + to pay the mayor, aldermen and commonalty, of the City of St. John + (or to such persons as they shall appoint), the several sums + annexed to our names as a loan upon interest, for the purpose of + importing from London two suitable fire-engines, and for sinking a + sufficient number of public wells in this city. + + "Which several sums the said corporation have engaged to repay to + each separate subscriber with interest annually, as soon as their + funds will enable them so to do, as appears by an abstract from the + minutes of the common council, dated the 20th March last: + + "City of St. John, N.B., 5th April, 1787. + + L s. d. + "Gabriel G. Ludlow (Mayor) 10 0 0 + Ward Chipman (Recorder) 10 0 0 + Jonathan Bliss (Atty.-General) 10 0 0 + James Putnam (Judge) 10 0 0 + Christopher Billop 5 0 0 + Zeph Kingsley 10 0 0 + Samuel Randall 10 0 0 + Gilbert & Hanford 10 0 0 + Isaac Bell 5 0 0 + Robert Parker 10 0 0 + BENEDICT ARNOLD 10 0 0 + William Wyly 10 0 0 + Mark Wright 3 0 0 + C. C. Hall & Co. 5 0 0 + William Pagan 10 0 0 + John Colwell 5 0 0 + Thomas Bean 10 0 0 + Francis Gilbert 5 0 0 + Samuel Hallet 3 0 0 + William Hazen 10 0 0 + James Ruon 5 0 0 + John Califf 4 13 4 + Isaac Lawton 5 0 0 + Samuel Mills 5 0 0 + Paul Bedell 5 0 0 + William Wanton (Collector Custom) 10 0 0 + Adino Paddock, M. D. 5 0 0 + McCall & Codner 10 0 0 + Thomas Horsfield 10 0 0 + John McGeorge } + Thos. Elliot } 10 0 0 + William Bainy } + Thompson & Reed 10 0 0 + Christopher Lowe, (King's Printer) 5 0 0 + W. S. Olive, (Sheriff) 5 0 0 + Wm. Whittaker 5 0 0 + Peter Quin 3 0 0 + Charles Warner 5 0 0 + Abiather Camp 5 0 0 + James Peters 5 0 0 + Daniel Michean 3 0 0 + Fitch Rogers 5 0 0 + Munson Jarvis 5 0 0 + Nehemiah Rodgers 5 0 0 + Edward Sands 3 0 0." + +On the 2nd February, 1786, the corporation paid Peter Fleming L136 6s. +8d. for two fire engines. These must have proved ineffectual, for the +reader will notice that the above loan was made up hardly a year +afterward, and the present sum was raised for the special purpose of +buying London engines, and sinking wells. + +The movement was not inaugurated a moment too soon, for in 1788 the +following year, a fire occurred in the store of General Benedict Arnold, +of revolutionary fame, which threatened to become very serious before it +was got under way. Arnold's store was situate in Lower Cove, where the +sewing machine factory adjoining John E. Turnbull's sash factory stood, +till the late besom of fire swept it away. A good deal of excitement was +occasioned at the time of the fire in Arnold's premises. His former +partner, Hoyt, charged him with setting fire to the store. Arnold sued +him for slander, and recovered a verdict of twenty shillings! + +The next fire broke out in 1816 in a large two-story house on the corner +of Germain and Britain Streets, occupied by a military physician named +Davis. The doctor and his wife were saved from burning by the heroic +conduct of their next door neighbour. A party of soldiers were engaged +the next day sifting the ashes and searching for the silver which had +melted; not a trace of it was found however. + +The fire of 1823 was a very serious one, and caused great destruction. +It began on Disbrow's Wharf and took along with it nearly both sides of +Prince William Street; the old wooden building on the latter street +lately occupied by _The Telegraph_ newspaper, alone escaped. The lot on +which it stood cost Dr. Adino Paddock five shillings in 1786. During +this fire over forty houses were burned, and the loss of property and +goods was estimated at L20,000, which in those days was felt to be +enormous. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN PANORAMIC VIEW OF ST. JOHN, 1828 OR '30.] + +The fire of 1837 will linger long in the memory of many of the +inhabitants of St. John. It was the most wholesale destruction of +property which the people had ever known. Many to-day contrast the +misfortunes of that day with those of the present hour. Even when the +flames were carrying death and destruction on all sides on that warm day +in June, 1877, men stopped to compare notes and whisper a word or two +about the fire of 1837. Of course the loss was not as great then, or the +number of lives lost so large, or so much valuable property destroyed as +at the present time, but the people were less able to bear the trials +which came upon them then, and many never recovered from the shock. The +city was young and struggling to gain a foothold. The city was poor and +the people were frugal. They were not able to bear the burdens which +were in a night entailed upon them, the magnificent system of relief +from outside sources was not in operation, and without help of any kind +save that which they themselves brought into requisition, the citizens +nobly worked long and hard to rebuild their little seaport town. There +was a prejudice against insurance, and many lost every dollar they +possessed. The hardships of those days are remembered by many who +passed through them then, and who once more endure the horrors of a +great calamity with almost Spartan courage. The time of the '37 fire was +in the very heart of a rigorous winter, on the 13th of January, and we +can only picture the destruction of Moscow to enable the reader to +understand how terrible the sufferings of the people must have been, +when snow and ice were on the ground, and not a shelter covered the +heads of the afflicted women and tender babes. It was a day remembered +long after by those who had passed through its trials. The fire +originated on Peters's Wharf, and in a moment, like lightning, it darted +along South Market Wharf and extended up to the ferry boat. Both sides +of Water Street and Prince William Street between Cooper's Alley and +Princess Street were destroyed. The old Nichols House was saved; it was +occupied then by Solomon Nichols and stood on the corner of Cooper's +Alley and Prince William Street, lately the site of Farrall & Smith's +dry goods store. It was originally built of wood and it was a marvel +that it was not carried away with the rest; but it stood like an oasis +in Sahara, or the old sentinel who was left on guard and forgotten after +the army had fled. One hundred and fifteen houses were consumed, and +nearly the whole of the business portion of the city, and one million +dollars' worth of property were destroyed. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +MARITIME BLOCK (1873) SHOWING VIEW OF PRINCE WILLIAM ST. + +Climo, Photo.] + +Hardly had the people recovered from the disaster of 1837, when another +scourge came upon them causing nearly as much destruction as before. +This was in August, 1839, when a fire started in Nelson Street and +burned the entire north wharf, both sides of Dock Street, Market Square, +with the exception of the house standing on the site now occupied by the +Bank of British North America, and a house on Union Street west, +occupied by Mr. Hegan. It didn't cross Prince William Street. The old +Government House, Union Street, escaped. + +The spring of 1841, 17th March, was the scene of another fire, when four +lives were lost and much excitement prevailed. Mr. Holdsworth, of +Holdsworth & Daniel, (London House) perished while endeavouring to keep +off the sparks from the roof of his store. + +On the 26th August, a L30,000 fire in Portland carried off sixty houses; +and on the 15th November, 1841, a fire broke out on the South Wharf and +burned the whole of that wharf together with Peter's Wharf, south side +of Water Street, and the large brick Market-house in Market Square, +which was occupied by butchers in the ground flat, and used for the +civic offices in the second story. This building could have been saved, +and was lost through gross carelessness. Incendiarism was rampant and +the greatest excitement filled the public mind. + +In 1845, 29th July, forty buildings were burned from a fire which took +its start in Water Street, and in 1849 the famous King Street fire broke +out in a store in Lawrence's building. The Commercial Hotel, then kept +by the late Israel Fellows, father of James I. Fellows, Chemist, was +destroyed, together with the Tower of Trinity Church, which had to be +pulled down that the Church might be saved. Pilot Mills climbed to the +cupola and secured the fastenings by which it was brought to the ground. + +The fire in Prince William Street of March 8th of the present year, +which broke out in the building owned by the Ennis and Gardner estate, +and resulted in the loss of seven lives and nearly two millions of +dollars' worth of property, is still fresh in the minds of our readers. + +Thus the reader will see that St. John has had a goodly share of the +great fires, which, in a moment lay prostrate a city, and plunge her +inhabitants into almost hopeless ruin. We come now to that day of our +last and greatest tribulation when the city was shook to its very +foundation and was well nigh thrown out of existence. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] The exact acreage, from actual measurement is 200 acres; +streetage, 9.6 miles. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + The Late Fire--Its Origin--Bravery of the Firemen--The High + Wind--The Fire's Career--Fighting the Flames--Almost Lost-- + The Escape from the Burning Building--Destruction of Dock + Street--Smyth Street in Flames--The Wharves--Demolition of + Market Square--Something about the Business Houses there-- + The Banks--Fire checked at North Street. + + +The great fire, for we must distinguish it by that title, since in +vastness it overpowers all other similar calamities which have befallen +St. John, originated in the late Joseph Fairweather's building, York +Point, Portland, at half past two on Wednesday afternoon, 20th June. The +writer and Mr. Frederick R. Fairweather were walking down King Street at +the time of the alarm, and, in company with hundreds of others, visited +the scene of what promised at the time to be a very small affair indeed. +When the place was reached, McLaughlin's boiler shop was in flames and +all efforts of the firemen to put out the fire were checkmated at every +turn by the fierce north-west wind which was blowing a perfect gale. In +a few minutes the fire spread with alarming rapidity, and houses went +down as if a mine of powder had exploded and razed them. The wind lifted +from the roofs immense brands and sparks, and by three o'clock the city +was in flames at a dozen points. Lower Cove was on fire, and the dryness +of the houses rendered them as useless to withstand the blaze as bits of +paper would have been. The huge blazing brands were carried along in +the air for miles around, and where-ever they dropped a house went down. +The engines were powerless, and the firemen, though they worked like +heroes, availed but little. The wild, mad flames, now in sheets, now +with a million tongues of angry fork-like columns, dashed against the +wharves, levelling them to the water's edge, ripping up the pavements of +the streets, and crushing houses out of existence in a single swoop. +Nothing could be done. The leaping demon swept all before him. Hare's +Wharf with its buildings bowed before the destroyer, and with a roar +which thrilled every heart, and unnerved every man who stood there, the +whole force of the fire dashed into Smyth Street and shattered every +building in it. J. W. Nicholson's wine vaults, Harrison's flour +warehouse, Logan & Lindsay's storehouse, Robertson Place, which exceeded +in value half a million of dollars, were snapped up in a second. The +flames spread into Drury Lane and Mill Street, and soon both sides of +Dock Street were in the common ruin. But while this was going on, the +rear of the London House, in Market Square, was threatened and the old +barracks in Lower Cove were on fire. A reinforcement from Carleton and +Portland fire departments came to the assistance of the firemen at this +juncture, and every man worked with a will. The hose was directed with +admirable expertness but the high wind baffled the efforts of all who +stood before it. It could rise higher than the water, and it could +travel faster than man. A mass of flames at the end of Smyth Street and +Drury Lane burned close to an engine, but the dauntless firemen, +holding boards over their heads to protect their faces and eyes from the +heat, gave battle to the relentless foe. It was a fight of water and +human endurance against fire, and fire prevailed in the end. The unequal +combat lasted some minutes, and it was only when death seemed imminent +that the men drew away, and even then they only yielded the ground inch +by inch, till they could no longer stand up before the charging enemy. +The fire was now going with headlong speed down Dock Street. Frantic +women wildly sobbing filled the roads with the few sticks of furniture +and portions of bedding which they had managed to save. Children +hastened along crying aloud, and making the scene more dreadful as they +ran barefooted over the hot sidewalk. Men with picture frames and books +rushed past, calling and threatening, and moaning. It was a scene +terrible in its reality. People were driven from street to street, and +hurled forward, till, with horror in their blanched faces, they turned +and saw in their rear the wild flames hemming them in. With many a +shriek they dashed into the side streets. Some ran along Water Street, +only to meet the flames there, and a few sought refuge in rafts and +boats, and sped to Carleton, losing in the excitement every dollar they +owned in the world. The old McSweeney lime-stone building, which came to +a point on the corner of Union and Dock Streets, early succumbed and was +a mass of crumbling ruins. It was near this edifice that a woman rescued +her child from instant death, and pulled her away just in time to +escape being buried in a mass of stone, which came tumbling down in a +thousand pieces. The Rankine bakery, another building known far and +wide, suffered demolition, and was soon a heap of ruins. Some young men, +three in number, entered a store on Mill Street, to avoid the dust and +smoke. In a little while they saw with agony the flames burst in upon +them from the rear door, ten or twelve feet from the entrance. They +called for help, and attempted to gain an exit from the place which was +now filled with heavy black smoke. Three times they sought the door, and +every minute they began to realize the imminence of their danger. The +flames and smoke drove them back, and now the water from the hose came +tearing into their faces, knocking their breath away, and saturating +them with the wet. Two jumped with the frenzy of madmen and the wildness +of despair, and landed into the street safe, but paralysed with fear. +The other man groped his way on his hands and knees along the floor and +felt for the door. He succeeded after enduring much suffering, in +crawling into the street. All that these three saved was on their backs. +In the midst of the commotion in Dock Street, merchants were busily +engaged in securing their books and private papers, and hurrying out +with them. Some trusted to their safes and locked their doors. The sweep +in this street was a clear one. The old "Hammond House" went shortly +after the McSweeney building, and the Figaro Opera House followed +shortly after. This building was built a few years ago, as an exhibition +hall, by Otis Small, Esq., and leased to Major George Bishop, as a +concert room. He occupied it awhile, and Pete Lee succeeded him in the +lesseeship and management of the concern. Some excellent performances of +the variety kind have been given in this building. The hall was +comfortably seated and tastefully arranged. Latterly it was converted, +by Prof. Neilson, into a ball-room and dancing academy, when it received +its new name, "Figaro Opera House." + +Dock Street was soon in ashes, and it was while this street was burning +that a grand rush was made by the merchants and private bankers, to the +Bank of New Brunswick. Piles of bank notes, bills of exchange, +mortgages, bonds, specie, books of account, ledgers, &c., &c., were +placed in tin boxes, when practicable, and deposited, through the +courtesy of George Schofield, Esq., of the bank, into the vaults. They +were not a moment too soon, for now the splendid front of the Market +Square was in a blaze, and Hall & Fairweather's store on South Wharf was +burning. An immense amount of damage was being done. On this square a +vast deal of business had been done for many years, and leading +merchants had made and lost fortunes on its site. The London House, +Messrs. Daniel & Boyd's wholesale establishment, represented a large +value. It stood in the centre of the square, and the gradual sinking of +this structure was a sad but grandly imposing sight. It was here where +enterprise was to be found, and Daniel & Boyd's name was ever the +synonym for honesty, integrity, and truth. It was in this spacious +warehouse where the busy merchants were to be seen, eager to help the +young men of the city, and anxious to develop the resources of the +country. In every good work, in every deed of charity, Thomas W. Daniel +and John Boyd headed the list, and to them many a young merchant to-day +is indebted for that teaching, which, in after life, made him honourable +in his dealings. This prominent house was started in 1831 by Holdsworth +& Daniel. The fire of 1839 carried their store away, and for a while the +firm occupied the store known as Jardine's, Prince William Street. In +1839, the land on the market square was purchased by Mr. Thos. Daniel +for L4,000. (In 1811 this place was used as a blacksmith's shop.) In +1847, Mr. Thomas Daniel left the firm and went to England. His nephew, +the present head of the house, Thos. W. Daniel, began business on his +own account, and soon after 1852, he admitted John Boyd as a partner in +the house, under the style of T. W. Daniel & Co. Shortly after the style +of this firm was changed to Daniel & Boyd. On the corner to the right of +Daniel & Boyd, No. 1 Market Square, was the staunch old drug +establishment of the late W. O. Smith, Esq. Mr. Smith, the father of our +present ex-Mayor, opened here after the fire of 1839, and the business +has been conducted here till the late fire, by his son, A. Chipman +Smith, since 1871, when his father died in March of that year. In the +adjoining store, so many years occupied by Lawton & Vassie, Messrs. +Manchester, Robertson & Allison, may be said to have begun business. +They left here, W. W. Jordan taking the store, to occupy their +commodious premises in King Street, which alone kept off the fire +from the north side of King Street. The saving of this building was one +of the marvels of the present calamity. It really held the key to the +whole of this side of the street. But for the laundry and the well +managed protective means employed by the firm and their friends, the +destruction of this house and the entire street would have been +accomplished. Men stood idly in the courtway folding their arms and +telling one another that the building could not possibly be saved, when +Mr. Manchester, in his short impulsive way, told them if every one did +as they were doing, it could not; but he intended to use every effort in +his power before he gave it up. The firemen here worked with a will, and +were rewarded with a splendid result. It was on this side of the street +that the Western Union Telegraph Office was situated, and it and Mr. J. +W. Hall's new building were the first to go. The Maritime Block--a +splendid structure--in which the banks, Maritime, Montreal and Nova +Scotia, were established, and which faced the Market Square, went down +while it was yet daylight. In this building the offices of the school +trustees, Dun, Wiman & Co., A. P. Rolph, Lumber Exchange, and Board of +Trade were held. While Mr. Rolph was engaged in getting his things ready +to move out, Mr. Richard Thompson's men were hastening in with +silver-ware and jewelry, thinking in their excitement that this building +was at all events safe. Mr. Thompson's loss is very heavy, and the +damage to his elegant and costly stock is considerable. The lot on which +the Sheffield House stood was offered some years ago, at private sale, +to John Wilmot, Esq., father of Senator R. Duncan Wilmot, by James +Brimner, for L2,000. Mr. Wilmot refused it, and attended the auction +sale when it was knocked down to him for L2,950. The police office went +next, Watts & Turner's, H. & H. McCullough's, and round again to the +north wharf, carrying Lewin & Allingham, Chas. R. Ray, W. H. Thorne & +Co. (retail), and Thomas M. Reed, along with it. The destruction on the +north wharf totally demolished the establishment of Jas. Domville & Co., +and the books of the firm which had been taken to the Maritime Bank for +safe keeping, were subsequently burned there. The saving of the Bank of +British North America, the only monetary institution in the city which +resumed business the next day as usual, was one of those wonderful +events which only occur at rare intervals. The fire roared lustily in +the rear of the bank, but something seemed to command it to halt there, +and advance no further. A large barn went down, and now it was deemed +certain that the bank would go next, but no, the fire crossed the +square, dashed along Water Street, cut into Ward Street, destroyed a +slip full of schooners and wood boats, slipped into Tilton's Alley, and +rushed along with frightful rapidity on both sides of every thoroughfare +in its way. On the one side of the city the fire was stopped at North +Street, having reached J. & T. Robinson's house and store. + +[Illustration: THE BUILDING WHICH PREVENTED THE FIRE FROM EXTENDING UP +KING ST.] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + The Fire in King Street--Recollections--The Old Coffee House + Corner--The Stores in King Street--The Old Masonic Hall--The + St. John Hotel--Its Early Days--The Bell Tower--King Square-- + A Night of Horror--The Vultures at Work--Plundering the + Destitute. + + +The fire entered King Street in the western side from Germain and +Canterbury Streets. It began by burning down Lawton & Vassie's brick +store, erected on the site which contained the famous Bragg building. +This stout building and Bowes & Evan's premises were soon buried in the +common ruin. The fire went along King Street, destroying Mr. Sharp's dry +goods store, Jas. Adams & Co's., James Manson's magnificent palace, +including his safe and all his valuable papers, John K. Storey's and +Magee Bros., Imperial Block. This last place is quite historic. This +block was erected in 1852, by the late John Gillis. It was built on the +site where the memorable coffee house stood. Here of an evening for +years and years the old men of the place used to sit and gossip and +smoke and sip their toddy. Here in 1815 they met to learn the news of +the war between France and England, and read the story of Waterloo four +or five months after it was fought and won. In this sort of Shakspeare +tavern, the leading merchants of the day met and chatted over large +sales, and compared notes. Here a verbal commercial agency was +established, and here delightful old gossips, like busy Sam Pepys and +garrulous old busybodies, like Johnson's Bozzy, met and told each other +all about everybody else's affairs. What a time these old fellows had +every night sitting there in that quaint old coffee house, chatting and +smoking, smoking and chatting again. And there were Ben Jonsons in those +days, who wrote dramatic pieces and showed them to their friends over a +cup of hot spiced rum. And poets too, full of the tender passion, sighed +out hexameters of love in that old coffee house so dear to some of the +men we meet to-day who lost everything in the flames on that dark +Wednesday in June. Ah, yes, the grand old coffee house was torn down in +1852 to make room for the handsome pile of stone and brick which +perished only the other day. The corner is again bare, and the few who +remember the coffee house are fast passing away. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +KING STREET.] + +The fire now gained great headway, and soon it was seen taking +prodigious leaps, going ahead, and then seemingly to dart back again and +finish what it had already begun. The people everywhere were in the +wildest state of excitement. In the back streets the fire was +progressing and destroying the residences of the men who were trying to +save their business property in the marts of commerce. People sent car +loads of their more valuable goods to places which appeared to be safe, +but which turned out in the end to be of only temporary security. Men +had their stores burned at four and five o'clock, and their goods burned +at seven and eight o'clock. It was only putting off the evil for a few +brief hours. Cartmen charged wildly and exorbitantly--some having to +pay as high as fifty dollars to have carted away a cartload of stuff. On +every roof in King Street clerks and employers stood with hose and +buckets of water, but nothing that man could do or devise held the +flames at bay, or kept them off for the brief space of a moment. The +fire was determined on a clean sweep, and despite the most strenuous +exertions it had its own way, and baffled the efforts of those who +attempted to stay its fierce will. Beek's corner, lately in the +occupancy of H. R. Smith, bookseller, and a perfect feeder of a fire +like this, was an easy prey, and with a loud roar its rafters fell, and +a well-known corner was no more. Mullin's shoe store, a building of +similar construction, went down in another moment, and now the only +brick building in the block from Canterbury Street to Germain Street was +attacked by the fire. This was Pine's brick building, a fine structure +which several years ago Mr. George Jury Pine built, and in which I. & F. +Burpee commenced business, and George Stewart, of Stewart & White, began +trade. Messrs. Della, Torre & Co. occupied No. 30, and Geo. Stewart, +Jr., Druggist, held the other store, No. 32. The present owner of the +building, Stephen Whittaker, of Fredericton, had lately begun the +erection of a spacious rear addition, and improvements on a liberal +scale had been commenced in the upper stories. The rest of the building +was known as the Russell House. This building went to pieces about six +o'clock. The photograph rooms were destroyed before Pine's building +went, and the flames sped quickly, carrying before them the stores of +Bardsley Bros., Scott & Binning, W. K. Crawford, Geo. Salmon, and +Hanington Bros.' drug store, formerly Fellows & Co.'s establishment on +Foster's Corner, corner King and Germain Streets. The contents of this +store were quickly snapped up by the fire, and pills and plasters, soaps +and perfumes were spilled about in hopeless profusion and confusion. Mr. +T. H. Hall's twin buildings were across the street, but a barrier like +that was an easy jump for the infuriated flames. They leaped into the +windows, attacked the wood-work, and with a strong pull the two splendid +stone buildings were borne to the ground, and thousands of dollars' +worth of property lay scattered about in all directions. Mr. Hall +occupied the corner store as a book-store, and T. L. Coughlan had the +other. Dr. J. M. C. Fiske, dentist held the room overhead.[B] The Gordon +House, Fred. S. Skinner's grocery store, a row of wooden shanties, +Landry's brick building, with a rich stock of organs in it, Logan, +Lindsay & Co.'s large grocery, A. & J. Hay's, Geo. Nixon's, Wm. Warn's +bath-rooms, W. H. Watson's, Geo. Suffren's, W. H. Patterson's, Taylor & +Dockrill's, George Sparrow's, R. McAndrew's, and the United States +Hotel, only lived a short time in the very heart of the fire. + +[Illustration: PINE'S BRICK BUILDING KING ST., THE ONLY BRICK BUILDING +BETWEEN CANTERBURY AND GERMAIN STS.] + +The fire closed here for a moment, engaging a building dear from long +and good service to the people of St. John, and eminently historical in +its way. The United States Hotel, as Mr. Hinch, the photographer, called +it, when he took possession of it a few years since, was known for many +years as the old Masonic Hall. It stood on the corner of King Street and +Charlotte Street, and was commenced by the Free and Accepted Masons in +1816. It was decided to erect this Temple of Masonry at a meeting of the +craft held April 1, 1816. The lot of land was leased from the +corporation of Trinity Church, and on the 28th September following the +corner-stone was laid, on which was inscribed the following:-- + +"This stone of the Masonic Hall was laid on 28th Sept., 1816, of the era +of Masonry 5816, and the reign of George the Third, King of the United +Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in the mayoralty of John Robinson, +Esq., by Thomas Wetmore, Esq., H.M. Attorney-General of N.B., as Grand +Master, substitute of John Pike, Esq,. Grand Master of the Society of +Masons, Nova Scotia, and the jurisdiction thereof." + +[Illustration: BELL TOWER AND KING SQUARE.] + +The movement was not successful in a pecuniary sense, for in 1819 the +building was sold at sheriffs sale, at suit of James Hendricks. The +purchaser was Israel Lawson. Mr. Lawson had the building completed, and +leased the third or upper story to the Masons. The room was 60 feet by +30 feet, with two large ante-rooms. It was in this room that all the +concerts, balls, public parties, and public meetings given in the city +were held for many years. Up to 1836 the house was known as the Masonic +Hall, but after this year its name was changed. The St. John Hotel +Company was formed, and the building was purchased from Mr. Lawson and +converted into a hotel. It was called the "St. John Hotel," and Mr. +Cyrus Stockwell father of the Honourable Mr. Stockwell, editor of the +_Boston Journal_, opened it on May 24th, 1837. He was its first +proprietor. A copy of the company's original seal is given below. It was +made of brass, and was two inches in diameter. + +[Illustration] + +This was the first hotel in St. John. It was here that Governor-General +Poulet Thompson and Lord Elgin stopped, and all the notables who from +time to time visited the city. In 1840, Mr. Stockwell retired, and +Messrs. W. & J. Scammell succeeded him in the management of the hotel. +These enterprising gentlemen set to work at once to remodel the +building, and they soon had it in splendid working order. The same +energy which the present firm of Scammell Bros. throw into their +business, was characteristic of the old firm of Scammell Bros. in 1840. +In 1851, W. & J. Scammell left the St. John Hotel, and took up their +quarters in the Waverley House, nearly opposite. The picture which +accompanies this sketch of the old hotel represents the building as +it appeared in 1837. It is taken from an old picture, and as but two or +three copies were known to exist before the late fire, it is a question +now if more then one copy was saved. The old St. John Hotel is full of +associations, pleasurable in every case, to travellers who used to come +to St. John thirty and forty years ago. Even in 1858, when Messrs. +Whitney & Adams kept it, it was still a home for the stranger. There was +a freedom about its old rooms, and a positive luxuriance which one looks +for in vain in the hotels of our later days. About 1861-62, people used +to sit in Ned Sharland's book-store, which was on the ground-flat, and +sketch the Bell-tower, which was then certainly "a thing of beauty," +even if Mr. Warner found it the reverse in 1874, when he climbed up to +the triumphal arch and found it was made of wood, painted and sanded, +instead of solid stone, as he thought it was. This bell-tower was +erected in 1851, and the large bell which for years tolled out that fire +was at hand, was made in 1852, and came from Meneely's, West Troy, New +York. Before that day, men struck a gong from a scaffold whenever there +was a fire. The tower was useful even in its latter days, if its beauty +had departed three years ago. The cut which we supply will give the +reader at a distance some idea of the old tower, as it appeared in its +lusty young days. When the city comes to be built up again, the site of +the late hotel must not be forgotten. It is eminently adapted for an +hotel. It is centrally located, and has a frontage of 120 feet on King +Street, by 100 feet on Charlotte Street. King Square did much to stay +the onward march of the fire. It was a haven of rest for those weary +ones who were flying from the flames, with the few things they had saved +from the burning. It was the camping ground of the soldiery, and the +hospital bed of the sick and wounded, who were borne to the fresh grass, +and laid there until help was brought to them. The Square, the first few +days of the fire, was filled with furniture, and books, and household +utensils. It was in this square that half-famished women, that night, +hugged their little ones to their hearts, and rocked them, hungry and +cold, on the sward till they went to sleep, only to awaken again and cry +for something to eat. It was here that women gathered into slips the +flying feathers that danced upon the grass and were the playthings of +the wind, trying to save enough of what remained to make a rest for +their heads. It was here they sat with wildly staring eyes, looking out +into the night, while all around them the embers flew about, and the +heavens were red with the sporting flames. It was before this that the +Bell-tower fell with a deafening crash, and many a heart quailed in the +Square, for this told that another historic fragment was swept away, and +that the terrible fire was near at hand. Sobbing children ceased their +wailing for a time, and feeble mothers prayed that God in His mercy +might avert the calamity, and stay the warring flames. There was no more +sleep for the tired ones. They must wander about, ringing their hands +and crying aloud in their awful despair. Even men who had faced a +thousand dangers, quailed before the advance of the fire. The streets +were alive with hurrying pedestrians. Horses were driven at breakneck +speed, and the clattering hoofs told that danger was at hand. Human +vultures stood, with their "pickers and stealers," ready to pounce upon +everything that could be seized, and the presence of an appalling danger +did not deter them from plundering the unfortunate and the destitute. It +was the old war again, of the strong against the weak and powerless. A +female vampire helped a widow lady to gather her little things together +in a bundle, while her children stole the silver and jewelry, and made +off with their plunder. Rough half-grown men stopped children in the +streets, and snatched from their arms the treasured fragments from a +broken home, which they were trying to rescue from the elemental +spoiler. Loafers and thieves held high carnival, and despite the agony +which was felt on all sides, these miscreants never for an instant +forgot that they were thieves, or neglected to ply their calling when +chance threw anything in their way. All night they roamed the streets, +and thrived on the misfortunes of others. Ask them for assistance, and +they knocked you down. Give them something to hold a minute, and they +made off with it. The vilest scum that ever filled a penitentiary +stalked abroad that night, and their lawlessness but added to the horror +of the hour. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +VIEW OF KING ST., SHOWING ST. JOHN HOTEL, 1837.] + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +NORTH SIDE KING ST. AND BELL TOWER.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[B] The Orangemen of St. John District met in this hall. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + The fire in Germain Street--The first brick house in St. John-- + Old Trinity--The Loyalists--Curious ideas about insurance--The + rectors of Trinity--The Clock--The Royal Arms. + + +The fire along Germain Street was of great volume, and dealt out +destruction in a thoroughly wholesale manner. A good many buildings of +more than ordinary note were situate in this pleasant street, and to +these may be added a large number of churches, some of them being of +especial importance in an historical point of view. The fire came along +briskly, carrying Foster's Corner, Foster's shoe store, and the little +buildings adjoining, till it reached Dr. Ring's residence, the old +Disbrow property, the first brick house in St. John. The doctor had +lately improved it by extensive building operations, but in an hour or +two hardly a fragment remained to mark the spot, save parts of the +well-built walls and the tall chimneys. Mrs. Chas. K. Cameron's +millinery store and Hamilton & Lounsbury's place of business were in the +two stores in this building, and they very soon were lost to sight. +Lordly, Howe & Co.'s furniture warerooms, filled with new stock, were +greedily devoured by the flames, and Geo. Hutchinson, jr., who kept the +time ball in working order, lost all his jewelry and stock. The precious +stones and gold and silver ornaments in his safe were totally ruined +also. The Mansion Hotel, a small boarding house, was soon among the +general mass of debris, and the fire whizzed across the street, and +directed its entire force on Old Trinity. First the steeple went, and +then the whole body of the old church was in a sheet of flame, and there +was barely time left to save the historic Royal Arms which Captain Frank +B. Hazen got out of the building, and a few prayer books in the vestry, +and the minister's surplices, which Colonel Chas. R. Ray rescued from +destruction. The communion plate was in a safe, and it too was saved; +but this was all. During the burning of this sacred edifice the greatest +consternation prevailed among the people who lined the streets. Now +surely there was no resisting the fire. The hoarse roar of the tornado +of flame seemed to sound like a mocking laugh, and when the rafters of +the oldest church in the city fell with a dull thud, all felt as if a +friend had been torn ruthlessly from their gaze. Many exhibited real +emotion; and there were women who cried that afternoon, as they thought +of this last relic of their loyalist forefathers being swept away in the +cruel and all-devouring fire. Trinity Church has a very remarkable +history of its own, and the picture which we supply of it will be +perhaps the most attractive of our illustrations to the great mass of +the residents of the city. It was ever a monument of the piety and +religious tenets of our first settlers. A heritage which they left to +their children. It never laid claims to architectural beauty, but it was +commodious and homely; and men felt while inside its grand old walls +that there was something more than the mere name in religion after all, +and the word which they heard was true and good. The Loyalists who +settled here in 1783, on that memorable 18th of May, were composed of +that stuff which the poet tells us warriors sometimes feel, and they +diligently set to work to build on this sterile, rocky soil a city that +future ages would acknowledge. They had thrift, integrity, great zeal, +enterprise and piety, and these attributes were their strongest points. +The man who possesses all these characteristics can give battle to the +world and he will conquer. They had true courage in them, these +pioneers. They had stability, nerve and character, and were just the men +to found a city and plant the seeds of civilization in a community. They +erected simple houses at first, and then a church was built in which +they could worship that God who had befriended them and journeyed with +them to their new homes. The first church was erected in Germain Street, +between Duke and Queen Streets, in the lot where Mr. James McMillan +lived till he was burned out of it the other day. The faith adopted here +was that of the Church of England--as the major portion of the Loyalists +were of that persuasion. When the city lots were divided, the "Old +Burial Ground" was laid aside for church and burial purposes, and at the +south-west corner--where the court-house now stands--it was intended to +build a church, and a frame for that object was obtained. The fire of +1784, however, passed over this section of the city, and the founders +changed their ideas about the locality in which the projected edifice +should stand. The Germain Street building had not been consecrated, and +the people continued to worship there until 1791, when the Trinity +Church was erected. The first church then continued to be occupied by +various denominations, by the Methodists first, and then by the +Baptists, until meeting-houses and chapels of their own could be built; +latterly it was used as a private dwelling-house and school-house. The +first sermon in Trinity was preached on Christmas Day, 1791, by Rev. Dr. +Mather Byles, rector. The following year a bell was put up, and, in 1803 +or 1804, stoves, for the first time, were placed in the church. The +first Bishop of Nova Scotia, Right Reverend Dr. Charles Inglis, +performed the consecration services of the church. This eminent divine +was grandfather of Major-General Sir John Inglis, whose deeds of valour +at Lucknow will never be forgotten while glorious exploits in military +history live in the memory of men. Thomas Horsfield and Fitch Rogers +were the first church-wardens of Trinity, and the vestrymen were Hon. +Gabriel Ludlow, Ward Chipman, Munson Jarvis, Thomas Whitlock, Nathan +Smith, Thomas Elmes, William Hazen, Colin Campbell, Nehemiah Rogers, +Isaac Lawton, Thomas Bean, and Samuel Hallet; vestry clerk, Colin +Campbell; sexton, James McPherson. General Coffin and Thomas Whitlock +gave the ground for the building, and Messrs. Bean & Dowling were the +builders. This Mr. Bean was the gentleman who, in June, 1811, when the +church wanted to borrow L200, agreed to lend it that sum on the express +condition that the insurance policy then on the building should be at +once cancelled. An order was passed cancelling the policy without delay. +Thus was Trinity for a while without insurance. Had Mr. Bean's ideas +prevailed to-day the congregation would, in all likelihood, mourn the +loss of $20,000, which is the amount that was on the building at the +time of the fire. When the edifice was finished, it was found to be of a +peculiar shape, and its breadth was out of all proportion to its length. +This was not an accident, however, for the builders wisely thought the +city would grow, and that as the requirements of the people needed it, +the church might be made larger. Little change had taken place in the +interior arrangements of the church at the time of its destruction. The +same pews had stood over four score of years, and all the alteration +that was made was a slight cutting down of the backs of some of the +centre ones. The side pews remained the original height. For +seventy-three years the old organ has been in constant use in Trinity. +It was brought from London in 1804, and cost a good round sum. The +freight on it alone was one hundred guineas, but the owner of the vessel +which brought it over, Hon. Wm. Pagan, remitted the amount back to the +corporation of the church. To its last days, this organ has been a good +instrument. In 1792, Mr. William Thomson presented Trinity with a bell, +for which he received a cordial vote of thanks. This bell was in active +service till 1857, when the bell which tolled a few days ago its last +sad peals, was mounted in the belfry. The town-clock, as every one was +accustomed to call the clock which told of the passing hours, too, has a +history. In 1810, Mr. John Venning erected the tower and cupola. He +had nearly completed his work one May morning, when owing to a light +fall of snow the staging became slippery, and when Mr. Venning stepped +upon it he slipped from it to the roof, and from thence to the ground, +where he was picked up dead. In 1812, the clock was placed in position, +and has remained there, till the events of Wednesday ended its career. +Barraud, of Cornhill, London, was the maker, and it cost L221 19s. +sterling; the Common Council voted L50 towards it. Up to 1814, the +church paid for having the time-piece wound, and in this year the +winding cost L6 15s., when the church people decided that they would no +longer attend to this service, and maintained that the commonalty should +see to it. The Council, on December 24th, 1814, resolved to act on the +suggestions of the Church corporation, and took upon themselves the duty +of keeping the clock wound up and in repair. Edward Taylor assisted in +putting up the clock and assumed control of it, till Mr. Wm. Hutchinson, +father of Geo. Hutchinson, jr., took charge of it. Previous to 1857, it +had three dials, but in this year a fourth was added, and a spire was +placed upon the church. + +[Illustration: TRINITY CHURCH.] + +In 1811-12 the church was lengthened, and in 1857 it was enlarged again. + +The first rector was the Rev. George Bisset, A. M., an Englishman. +Before the revolutionary war he was assistant to the rector of Trinity +Church, at Newport, Rhode Island. He became, two years later, the rector +of that church, and remained in that position until 1779, when the +British forces evacuated the island, and Mr. Bisset went to New York. +At the close of the war he came to St. John and was chosen rector of the +new parish. In 1786, he went to England on private and public business, +and while there raised quite a large sum to further the interests of his +church, and to assist materially in the building of the edifice. But in +1788, without seeing his hopes realized, he died, and was buried in the +Germain Street church-yard, and subsequently his remains were interred +in the Putnam tomb, in the old burial ground, where they still lie. + +A Harvard graduate of the class of 1751, was the next rector of Trinity, +the Rev. Mather Byles, D.D. For fifteen years, he had laboured as a +Congregational minister at New London, and then left that church to link +his fortunes with the Episcopalians. He joined the Church and became +rector of Christ's Church, Boston, Mass. He left his charge, when the +British troops abandoned Boston, and went to Halifax, N. S., where he +became Garrison chaplain. When Mr. Bisset died Dr. Byles removed to St. +John, was made rector, and preached, as we have said, the first sermon +that was ever preached in Trinity Church. In his latter days Dr. Byles +was very infirm and required an assistant. He was rector of St. John for +26 years, and died at the age of 80 in March, 1814, loved, honoured and +respected. He was a man of fine parts, an excellent talker, of quick and +lively nature, and he possessed a rich fund of anecdote and humour. A +bundle of his sayings and doings has been published. + +Rev. George Pidgeon was the third rector. He was a learned graduate of +Trinity College, Dublin, and was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1761. He +was an ensign in the rifles, and had served in America during the war. +He subsequently went to Halifax, took orders in the Church, became +rector of Fredericton and Ecclesiastical Commissary for the Province in +1795, and in 1814, on the death of the incumbent, he was made rector of +St. John. His health failed him, however, and for a time the church was +closed, when finally he died, May 6th, 1818. He was buried in the old +burial ground, and his monument may still be seen there. + +The fourth rector was the Rev. Dr. Robert Willis--a Navy chaplain and a +very eminent man. His ship was at Halifax coaling, when intelligence +reached him that Mr. Pidgeon was seriously ill, and that the church in +St. John was closed in consequence. He left at once for St. John where +he officiated for several weeks, and on the death of Mr. Pidgeon was +chosen rector. The Stone Church and St. George's, Carleton, were erected +during his incumbency, and this caused a division in the Parish. Dr. +Willis became rector of St. Paul's, Halifax, in 1825, and Arch-Deacon of +Nova Scotia, which offices he held until the year 1865, when he died at +the age of 80. He was the father of Rev. Cuthbert Willis, rector of +Salisbury, who was formerly of the 15th regiment of foot. + +In 1825 the Rev. Benjamin Gerrish Gray, D.D., succeeded Dr. Willis as +rector of St. John. He was born in Boston 1768, and on the departure of +the British troops from that city, while yet a child, he went with his +father to Halifax. He graduated at King's College, Windsor, completed +his education in England, and was ordained minister in 1796 by Bishop +Inglis at Halifax. Some years were spent by him as minister among the +Maroons, a discontented body of savages which the British Government +placed in Nova Scotia to the great annoyance and fear of the +inhabitants. The Doctor spent several years in connection with various +missions throughout Nova Scotia until 1819, when he became rector of St. +George's, Halifax. He laboured as rector in St. John on the death of Dr. +Willis, for fifteen years, when in 1840 he resigned his position. He +lived till 1854, when at the advanced age of 86 he died full of honours +and respect. He was a man of elevated tastes and liberal ideas. He loved +science, art and literature, and was a well informed and polished writer +and thinker. In 1833 one of the greatest calamities which ever befell +man happened to Dr. Gray. His house in Wellington Row took fire, and +before aid could come it was burned to the ground, together with the +rector's wife and a female domestic. No sympathy could alleviate the +suffering of the distracted husband, no words of man could take away the +agony of his deep grief and sorrow. It pressed heavily upon his mind, +and he was never again the same man. At this fire he lost his valuable +library which contained many rare and costly books and manuscripts, +together with the complete records of his parish. + +He was succeeded by his son, Rev. John William D. Gray, D.D., a very +able man. He was born in 1798, at Halifax, and graduated at King's +College, Windsor. He became rector of Amherst, N.S., and in 1825, when +Dr. Willis resigned his office in St. John, a movement was made to get +the rectorship for Dr. Gray. This was not done, however, for the father +was appointed, and the son became his assistant. In 1840, on the +retirement of Dr. Benjamin Gray, the sixth rector received the +appointment which he held until his death, in 1868. For twenty-eight +years this eminent clergyman laboured for his church and his people, and +all remember him as a kindly, thoughtful, generous man. He had abilities +of the highest order, and, whether as a preacher or a writer, his +reputation filled no second place. He wrote with a nerve and a boldness +which carried all before it, and his extensive erudition and vast powers +of concentration of thought made his works valued and esteemed. His +notable writings were chiefly controversial pamphlets, and few entered +the lists with him and gained a victory. His vigorous pamphlets on the +Catholic question, and the Moses and Colenso controversy will be +remembered by many who read these pages to-day, and all will regret that +the great rector never published a theological book or placed his ripe +thoughts on some enduring record. He was an able exponent of the +Scriptures, and he wrote in a superior and beautiful style. His sermons +were models of elegant English and sound doctrinal ideas, and no rector +of Trinity ever filled the position so grandly and so loyally as good +old Dr. Gray. He died at the age of seventy years, and in the +forty-seventh year of his ministry. He was accounted the best reader in +the Province, and his delivery was forcible, and distinguished for a +certain gracefulness of style. The Rev. James J. Hill, M. A. succeeded +Dr. Gray. He is a native of Nova Scotia. His failing health caused him +to resign the rectorship in a few years. At a meeting of the St. John +Parish, held on the 21st of July, 1873, the Rev. F. H. J. Brigstocke, of +Jesus College, Oxford, was unanimously nominated to the rectorship. He +had been in orders twelve years, and for five years had been curate to +the Dean of Canterbury. Mr. Brigstocke assumed his duties in October, +1873, and is the present rector of the parish. + +The stained-glass windows in the chancel of the old church were placed +there in 1859, and were presented by John V. Thurgar, Esq., a respected +retired merchant of this city, whose old stand was burned down on the +North Wharf during the great fire. + +The old arms of Trinity Church have an historic interest of very great +importance. A glance at them will reveal the fact that they are military +arms and not those of the church. They have escaped fire once or twice, +and in the early years of their existence witnessed many a heated +controversy, and experienced marvellous escapes from destruction. The +first we hear of them was in Boston where they adorned the walls of the +Council Chamber of the Old Town House. On March 17th, 1776, they sailed +out of Boston Harbour and were carried to Halifax, where they had a +temporary abiding place in the old chapel there. They were afterwards +placed, in 1791, in Trinity Church, where they have remained ever +since, until Captain Hazen rescued them from the flames on Wednesday +afternoon. A story is current that a hundred years ago, these arms were +snatched from Trinity Church, New York, when that edifice was in flames, +but this lacks confirmation, and the best authorities are unanimous in +holding that their peculiar build unfitted them for church use, and that +they were certainly intended to adorn the walls of council chambers. +That they were with the British army, whether on its march or at its +station, is settled beyond dispute. This ends the story of old Trinity, +the most historic edifice in the city--the first church--the quaintest +structure--the last link which bound the old and the new together. The +school-house fronting on Charlotte Street was burned at the same time as +the church. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + The Old Curiosity Shop in Germain Street--A Quaint Old + Place--"Rubbish Shot Here"--Notman's Studio--The Mother of + Methodism--Destruction of the Germain Street Methodist + Church--Burning of the Academy of Music--The Old Grammar + School--Presbyterians among the Loyalists--The "Auld Kirk" + --Saint Andrew's--The grants of Land--Legislation--The + building of the Kirk--Ministers--The "Victoria" in Flames + --Fascination of the Fire--The "Victoria" in Ruins--What + might have saved it. + + +The fire has destroyed Mrs. Lyons's "old curiosity shop,"--an +establishment known far and near as a place where everything, from a +needle to an anchor, might be got. Mrs. Lyons is an old inhabitant, and +for years was a constant attendant at every auction sale, and her +judgment has more than once influenced and controlled the bidding. She +bought everything, and, what is more curious still, she managed to sell +it afterwards at a fair profit. Old books, old pictures, cheap prints, +crockery, bedding, carpets, furniture; all had a home in that asylum for +decayed rubbish. It was a pleasant place in which to while away an odd +hour or two. The things were, at least, worth looking at; and one could +sometimes turn over a good book or two, or dip into the pages of an old +magazine and find a bit of poetry here and there, or a pleasant essay +that was worth glancing over. Of course, nothing out of this stock could +be saved, and the curious and out-of-the-way knick-nacks of the people +were swept away in a very short time. Mrs. Lyons is a very heavy +loser by the calamity, and narrowly escaped with her life. Indeed she +was reported missing at one stage of the fire. + +Mr. Notman's beautiful studio with its gems of neat things in art, and +its hundreds of elegant picture frames, went next. The premises had only +recently been opened, and the reception room was a perfect gallery of +beautifully arranged pictures and chromos, and India ink copies. A +number of oil paintings, some of them of considerable value, a good many +choice bits in water colour, some decidedly clever engravings together +with pieces of statuary, and a bronze or two perished in an instant. Not +a negative was saved, and the fine picture of Mr. John Melick's handsome +boy, which was so artistically finished in India ink by Mr. James +Notman, shared a like fate. The studio was full of handsome work, and +lovers of the aesthetic whenever they had a spare minute or two always +wandered into Notman's and inspected the new things he had there. It was +a place of resort for the cultivated mind, and the eye always rested on +something pleasing and charming. This building went so rapidly that the +occupants barely escaped with their clothes. The fire crossed the street +on both sides, and after sweeping down Mr. Edward Sears's house on the +corner, and carrying with it Mr. Tremaine Gard's jewelry establishment, +it rushed along levelling all before it, till Horsfield Street was +reached. On this corner the Mother of Methodism was situated--the old +Germain Street Methodist Church--called in olden times "The Chapel." +This structure was located a few feet off the street, and when the fire +caught and hugged it in its grasp the concourse of people beheld a sight +not easily effaced from their memory. The flames shot up, and for awhile +nothing but an avalanche of fire was to be seen. The hot, thick volume +roared out and crackled as timber after timber went down before the +whirlwind, and rent asunder in an hour, an edifice which had withstood +the blasts of the elements for seventy years. In 1808, on Christmas day, +this chapel was opened, and dedicated to the service of God, by the Rev. +Mr. Marsden. The leading layman at that time was the late John Ferguson, +an influential citizen and a prosperous merchant. He did much for +Methodism in his time, and it was through his exertions that the chapel +was built. For many years this commodious building was the only place of +worship that this body of Christians had in the city, and the various +clergymen who from time to time preached from its old-fashioned, homely +pulpit, developed sterling qualities and superior talents. Among its +body of laymen were men distinguished alike for their zeal and religious +principles. Such clergymen as Revs. Messrs. Priestly, Wood, Dr. Alder, +John B. Strong, Bamford, Wm. Temple and H. Crosscomb, will be +affectionately remembered by old members of this congregation, as +ministers whose interests were ever closely identified with those of +their hearers. The present Chief of Police, John R. Marshall, has been a +member of this church all his life, and for thirty years he has led the +singing. It was an unpretentious building with no attempts at +architectural display. A few years ago, to meet the wants of the +community, it was enlarged and extended back, and the gallery was placed +nearer the pulpit. While this building was burning the hospitable +residences of James Lawton, Esq., and Wm. Davidson, Esq., were being +reduced to ashes, and Dr. McAvenny's fine dental rooms adjoining those +houses, went down also. + +The burning of the Academy of Music[C] took place almost at the same +time. Not a vestige of this splendid hall remains to tell of the +dramatic triumphs that have been witnessed on its stage, or the +matchless oratory that fell from the lips of Phillips, Beecher and +Carpenter. Here it was that a few years ago the great performance of +Richelieu took place, when Couldock enacted the Cardinal Duke, and Louis +Aldrich was the impetuous De Mauprat. Here on this stage Carlotta Le +Clercq won some of her grandest triumphs. Here Warner and Lanergan gave +their wonderful interpretations of the Moor and Iago. Here Chas. Koppitz +led his great orchestra the day before he died, and here some of the +sweetest voices have been heard emulating the notes of the nightingale. +This building, which for several years enjoyed a splendid reputation, +well stocked with scenery and properties, centrally and admirably +located, seemed to melt into nothing on the day of the fire. The walls +fell with a loud crash, and the grand temple of amusement, in which our +people felt so much pride, was a thing of the past. It was owned by a +joint stock company, and the late Dr. George E. Keator was the first +president. On his death, Dr. Allan M. Ring was made president, and he +has retained the office ever since. John R. Armstrong, Esq., has been +the secretary from the beginning of the institution. It is only about a +year ago that it was frescoed and painted and greatly improved inside. +The Academy presented a noble appearance from the street, and the reader +can form an intelligent idea of how it looked from the illustration +which we give. The Knights of Pythias, New Brunswick and Union Lodges, +occupied the upper story as a lodge room. It was neatly and attractively +fitted up, and the knights took great interest in having it properly +cared for. The loss with which this young organization has met, is quite +large and is therefore severely felt. + +The last theatrical performance at the Academy of Music was on Tuesday +evening, 19th June, when Louise Pomeroy, an actress of charming genius, +sustained the _role_ of "Juliet" in Shakespeare's tragedy of the +affections, "Romeo and Juliet." On Wednesday night she was to have +performed "Rosalind" for the second time in St. John, in the delightful +comedy of "As You Like It." The company then playing were under the +management of Mr. William Nannary, with Mr. P. Nannary as assistant +manager, and Mr. W. E. Kelly, of Halifax, business agent. Mr. George B. +Waldron was stage manager, and his wife, Isabella Waldron, the leading +lady. The other members of the organization were R. Fulton Russell, F. +G. Cotter, G. T. Ulmer, Harry Pierson, Belvil Ryan, Mr. Padget, Mr. +Eberle, J. Reddy, Mr. Vanderen, Mr. Donaldson, W. F. Edwards, C. Mason, +Lizzie May Ulmer, Pearl Etynge, Little Bell Waldron, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. +Vanderen, Miss Hill, Mabel Doane, and Florence Stratton. All of these +artists suffered by the fire. Some saved their wardrobes, only to have +them stolen afterwards. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +ACADEMY OF MUSIC.] + +After Dr. McAvenny's office was burned, the fire shot into Messrs. +Miller and Woodman's double house, the late residence of Hon. A. McL. +Seely, and it was soon shattered to its basement. The fire then spread +as far as Duke Street, burning on its passage Dr. W. Bayard's house, and +the old McGrath residence, which latterly contained Dr. James E. +Griffith's office. On the other side, the Grammar School was the first +victim after the Old Chapel. + +This building was a plain wooden house of rather squat appearance. It +was erected on two lots of land, 80 feet front by 200 deep, which in +1807 were sold by Thos. Horsfield for L100. The first teacher was James +Brimner. In 1818 Dr. James Patterson took charge, and remained head +master till nearly the close of his life. Rev. Mr. Wainright, +afterwards rector of New York, and who died Bishop there, was at one +time a teacher in the Grammar School. The masters who have taught here +have been judiciously selected, and the school has been very successful +from the first. Messrs. Hutchison and Manning, and Rev. Mr. Schofield, +and latterly Rev. Dr. Coster, are all gentlemen of fine scholastic +attainments and excellent imparters of knowledge to the youth. For many +years the Corporation gave a gold medal annually to the bright boys of +this institution of learning, and many of our prominent lawyers, +doctors, engineers and merchants have been educated here. H. W. Frith, +Esq., was for many years secretary to the Board who controlled this +school, and continued in that office till the new school-law came into +force. The Grammar School in its last days was a free school of the +highest grade. + +It has been said of Scotchmen that next to love of country they revere +their religion. Indeed, the love is as warm for the one as it is for the +other. The Bible and Home. God and Scotland. Their religion has been +compared to their native Grampians, and some have said that it was as +hard, cold, determined and unyielding as those grand old hills +themselves, the very name of which sends a thrill through every +Scotchman's breast. Every Scottish poet has sung of home, every native +bard has written hymns and psalms. Burns's "Cotter's Saturday Night" +contains the germs of the Presbyterian faith, and Tannahill, Thomson, +Campbell, Hogg and all the other tuneful minstrels have sung in the same +key, and told of the old faith which the Covenanters felt on their +bleak hill-tops years ago, when it was deemed by some to be a crime to +worship God in more ways than one. It is as rare to find a Scotchman +unacquainted with the leading events in the Bible, the gist of the +shorter catechism, and the whole of the Psalms of David, including the +cxix, word for word, as it is difficult to enter a city all the world +over, and not find the sons of the old land filling the leading +positions in the place. Our readers may be sure that among the sturdy +loyalists not a few Presbyterians were to be found. When they reached +St. John, they settled in Lower Cove, and the first thing they did was +to consider the advisability of building a kirk. In 1784, the leading +men drew up a petition for a grant of land on which to lay the +foundation for a house of worship. It was sent to Governor Parr, and on +the 29th of June, of the same year, the grant was issued under the Great +Seal of Nova Scotia. John Boggs and others, for the Church of Scotland, +were the grantees. Their associates were Andrew Cornwall, James Reid, +John Menzie, Charles McPherson, William Henderson, John Gemmill, and +Robert Chillis, their heirs and assigns in trust. The document runs as +follows, and sets forth that the grant was, "for the erection, building +and accommodation of a meeting house or public place of worship for the +use of such of the inhabitants of the said town as now or shall +hereafter be of the Protestant profession of worship, approved of by the +General Assembly of the Church of Scotland * * * and further for the +erection and building and accommodation of a dwelling house, outhouse, +casements and conveniences for the habitation, use and occupation of a +minister to officiate and perform divine service in the meeting house +aforesaid, according to the form and professing aforesaid * * * and +further for the building and erection of a public school house and +public poor house, with proper accommodation and conveniences for the +use of the inhabitants of the said Township of Parr,[D] forever, and +upon this further trust and confidence to secure and defend the said +piece and tract of land, and all such buildings, edifices, and +improvements, commodities and appurtenances, to and for the several and +respective public uses, intents and purposes aforesaid forever, but to +or for no other or private use, intent and purpose whatsoever." + +It further states that in case of the lands coming into possession of +any other persons, they shall take the prescribed oath of allegiance +within twelve months, and in case of their neglect to do so, the lands +shall revert to the Crown. The grant was registered at Halifax, 29th +June, 1784, and at Fredericton on December 23rd, same year. These lands +were situate on the north side of Queen Street, extending east and west +from Sydney to Carmarthen Streets, and north from Queen Street 100 feet. +They contain 10 city lots and form a block of 100 by 400 feet. + +Charles McPherson, once the owner of "Coffee House Corner," survived +the other trustees, who died before any of the buildings mentioned in +the grant were set up. A change had come over the people's views since +then, and the site was not approved of by those interested. It was not +central enough, and in 1815 it was decided to ask for a site in the +upper part of the town. Wm. Pagan, Hugh Johnston, senr., John Thompson, +James Grigor, John Currie, Alexander Edmonds, and William Donaldson were +the new Committee whose duty it was to provide "a meeting house for the +use of such of the inhabitants as are of the General Assembly of the +Church of Scotland." In this year the survivor of the trustees of 1784, +Charles McPherson, relinquished his interest in favour of the new +Committee. James Grigor selected the present site of the church in +Germain Street, and in 1815 he purchased it for L250 from J. V. +Thurgar's uncle, Mr. John L. Venner. The lot is 100 feet in width and +200 feet in depth. Mr. Grigor and wife, by deed, on the 20th June, 1815, +just sixty-two years ago, on the day of the fire, conveyed the property +to Wm. Pagan and the rest of the Committee. On June 4th, 1816, another +grant of land was given to the Committee by the Corporation of St. John. +This lot was in Duke's Ward, and known on the plan as one of the public +lots, letter B, bounded on the east by Carmarthen Street, on the west by +Sydney Street, and on the south by lots 1086 to 1077 inclusive. The +latter lots are on St. James' Street. This also was in special trust for +the Kirk of Scotland in this city, and the grant was unconditional. This +block was four hundred feet square, and a vacant field. The Committee +built houses upon it some years after, and laid out the street from +Sydney to Carmarthen, known as St. Andrew's Street. William Campbell was +Mayor, and Charles J. Peters, Clerk. + +The Act 56 George III., cap. 28, passed 16th March, 1816, recites to +this effect: + +"Whereas sundry inhabitants of the City of St. John and its vicinity, +being of the Protestant profession of worship, approved by the General +Assembly of the Church of Scotland, have, by voluntary subscription, +aided by a grant[E] of money out of the Province (1814), erected a large +and handsome building for a place of public worship, which shall be in +connection with the said Church of Scotland: And whereas, the title of +the lots on which the said church has been erected, situated in Queen's +Ward in the said city, and fronting on Germain Street, is now in the +possession of the inhabitants of the said city, who hold the same in +trust: Be it enacted, that the minister and elders of the said church, +commonly called by the name of Kirk, whenever such ministers shall be +chosen and appointed, the said lots shall be vested in them, they being +known by the name of the minister and elders of the Church of Scotland +in the City of St. John." + +In 1818, Act 58 was passed, and this statute authorized the Kirk's +ministers and elders to have full power to purchase, receive, hold, and +enjoy lands, and tenements, and to improve and use the same for the +purpose of supporting and maintaining the building erected in St. John +for a place of public worship, and of its minister for the time being; +but such rents, with the rents of pews, shall not exceed annually the +sum of L500. + +An important discovery was made in 1832, when it was found that the +legislation that had been had was entirely at variance with Presbyterian +usage, which separated the spiritual from the temporal affairs of the +church, leaving the spiritual department in the hands of the minister +and his elders, and vesting the management of the temporalities in a +body of trustees to be named. A new bill was prepared, and accordingly +the following was speedily enacted by 2 William IV. cap. 18, "that +according to the form and usage of the Church of Scotland the spiritual +and temporal affairs of the said church are kept separate, and that the +present acts of incorporation vesting the temporal affairs of the St. +Andrew's Church, in the City of St. John, in the minister and elders is +at variance with the form and usage of the said Church of Scotland." + +All previous acts were repealed, and the following gentlemen, who were +the committee of management then: Thos. Walker, Robert Rankin, John +Wishart, John Robertson, James Kirk, Robert Keltie, James Burns, Henry +Hood, William Parks, William Walker, James Robertson and Daniel Leavitt, +with the elders, John Paul, Robert Robertson, Thomas Nisbet, William +Hutchinson, Angus McKenzie and John Gillis, were appointed interim +trustees until the election of twelve other trustees as provided by the +Act, could be had. This Act is still in operation, and it fixes the +annual rents at not more than L500, and prescribes the proceedings as to +the election and choice of trustees, ministers, and elders, the sales +and leases of pews, lands, &c. + +In 1815 the kirk was finished, and the trustees were Messrs. Pagan, +Johnston, Thomson, Grigor, and Edmond, Rev. Mr. Waddell, father of Dr. +Waddell, many years resident physician at the Lunatic Asylum, preached +the first sermon. The Rev. Geo. Burns was the first regularly appointed +minister, he had been an assistant minister in Aberdeen, Scotland, Mr. +Hugh Johnston who had been commissioned to go to Scotland for a +clergyman, chose Mr. Burns who was a young man of 26 years of age, and a +doctor of divinity. The degree was conferred on him by the University of +St. Andrew on his departure for America, and the new Kirk was called +"St. Andrew" in compliment to Dr. Burns's _Alma mater_. The young doctor +arrived in St. John on Sunday, the 25th of May, 1817, and on that day +preached his first sermon from Psalm cxxii, 1, "I was glad when they +said unto me, let us go into the House of the Lord." Dr. Burns continued +minister until 1829. He left St. John May, 1831, and on the 5th +February, 1876, he died in Edinburgh at the ripe age of 86. The Rev. +Robert Wilson was the second minister of the Kirk, and he officiated +from 1830 to 1842. The Rev. Andrew Halket succeeded him from 1842 to +1848. He died in the fall of 1875, at Brecken, Scotland. The Rev. Wm. +Donald, D.D., was the fourth minister of this now influential church, +he was ordained at Aberdeen, in May, 1849, and on the 18th of June he +reached St. John, and took immediate possession of his charge. His +ministry was a long and able one, and no minister was ever loved more +and respected higher than this teacher of the sacred word. He was ever +kindly disposed towards his people and his congregation were ever +devoted to him, their interests were his interests, and his interests +were theirs. When he died 20th Feby., 1871, the whole city mourned, and +old St. Andrew's refused to be comforted. The Rev. R. J. Cameron, who +was Dr. Donald's assistant for some time, succeeded him in the ministry +of the church. The Rev. Mr. Mitchell, who began his labours on the 30th +January, 1877, was the last incumbent. During the long career of the old +kirk--the oldest Presbyterian church in the Province--it has changed but +little since it was erected. Some trifling alterations have been made in +the interior, but externally it has remained for over three score years +the same. Three memorial tablets had been placed upon the walls, the +first was in memory of William Pagan, the second William Campbell, and +the third Dr. Donald. The first Presbyterian minister who died in St. +John was the Rev. Thomas Wishart.[F] + +[Illustration: ST. ANDREW'S KIRK.] + +There are some interesting items in connection with Old St. Andrew's +personal history which are worth recording. The solid silver communion +service which was used was the gift, in the year 1818, of the Earl and +Countess of Dalhousie, and Miss Campbell gave the two peculiarly shaped +silver plates which contained the bread when the Sacrament was +administered. These articles were saved, and are now in the possession +of William Girvan, Esq. Mrs. James Lawton, about the year 1839, +presented the Church with the Pulpit Bible. This was unfortunately +burned, as well as the two oil paintings which hung in the vestry, and +were portraits of Revs. Drs. Burns and Donald. It was to see these +pictures that Dr. Burns's nephew came to St. John on the very day of the +fire, but before he arrived they were no more. + +[Illustration: VICTORIA HOTEL.] + +Very little time was lost between the destruction of Trinity, the +Germain Street Methodist, and "Old St. Andrew's." They took fire nearly +at the same time, and within an hour of each other the three were +consumed. The fire was extraordinarily rapid in its work, and the frame +buildings seemed to add zest to its voracious appetite. An engine might +have saved the Victoria Hotel, but it was far away, and helplessly the +people looked on and saw one after the other of their cherished +churches, hotels, houses of entertainment and dwellings, sink down +before the red glare of the serpent, which wound its coils round-about +and encompassed all with its fangs and fork-like tongue. It was a sight +that the eye sickened at, and the heart grew faint, and despair fell +upon the people, and many moved away. But there were others who gazed on +the tottering ruins with a fixed and glassy stare, and as the huge +boulders came thundering down from the heights above, and the half +famished flames shot out in long, thin lines from the windows, and +darted back again like a wiry thing of life, and shouts rent the air +from the lips of the wounded, these men never moved from the spot on +which they stood. The church was in ashes, and the great walls of the +Victoria were red with the demon flames. They scaled the heights, they +flew back again. They hid in the chimneys, they ran along the roof, they +melted the sashes and tore down the door-ways. The marble steps were in +fragments, and all through the long corridors of the house the shrieks +of startled women rang, and hastening refugees from the flames leapt +with the courage and skill of acrobats into the crowded street. It was a +time in which men held their breath. The fascination of that sight was +terrible. All were dismayed. All were paralyzed. The "Victoria," that +Grand Hotel which was St. John to every traveller who came here--that +massive pile of brick and stone--was no longer the standing monument of +the city's enterprise. An engine might have saved it, but the engine was +not there. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +GERMAIN STREET, SHOWING VICTORIA HOTEL.] + +This spacious hotel was commenced by a Joint Stock Company in 1870, and +was built on the corner of Germain and Duke Streets. It was opened for +business July, 1871, with Mr. B. T. Creagen as Manager, and the +following Board of Directors:--Otis Small, Esq., President; John Magee, +A. Chipman Smith, John McMillan and William F. Harrison, Esqrs. The +hotel building cost one hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars, and +furnishing seventy-five thousand dollars. In the Fall of 1873, the +Victoria Hotel Club assumed control, and Mr. John Edwards was appointed +manager. At the time of the fire the hotel was under the management of +Mr. George W. Swett, a very popular and courteous gentleman. Many of the +guests sought refuge in the squares, and some escaped from the building +with scarcely more clothes than they had on. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[C] The outside dimensions of the Academy were 190x51 feet. The +front 65 feet high, showing three stories in front. The finish was +Italian in its general style, very rich and pleasing to the eye, with +heavy and elaborate carved work. A large bust of Queen Victoria adorned +the summit of the building, while over the main entrance an excellent +bust of Shakespeare indicated the uses for which the building was +intended. The front doors were massive in style, of solid walnut, and +weighed sixteen hundred pounds. Inside.--The parquette was reached by a +wide entrance; on either side of this entrance were broad and easy +stairs leading to the balcony; while above this was the gallery for the +gods, which was approached from a separate entrance. The parquette was +furnished with 600 opera chairs, and the seating capacity of the whole +building was 1,200. The scenery, ample in supply and excellent in +character, was painted by Gaspard Maeder. The building when finished +cost the Company over $60,000. + +[D] St. John was formerly called Parr Town. + +[E] ---- Legislature granted L250 towards erection of kirk. + +[F] Three members of the congregation of this Church were lost +at the time of the fire--Mrs. Thos. Reed, Mr. Joseph Bell, Capt. Wm. M. +B. Firth. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + The Odd Fellows' Hall--The fire in Horsfield Street--The Sweep + along Germain Street--The old Baptist Church--Some early + Ministers--Two fiery ordeals--The Brick Church--The Ruins--The + Bay View Hotel--An old Landmark gone--The blazing Barracks--St. + James's--The Hazen House--St. Malachi's Chapel--The first Roman + Catholic Church. + + +The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a very numerous and widely +respected body in St. John. Its roll of membership embraces many of the +best names in the city, and the order has grown from a very humble +beginning to quite an influential position in the community. It is only +a few years ago that some zealous members of the order banded themselves +together and formed Pioneer Lodge, No. 9. In a little time the lodge +grew so rapidly that it became too cumbersome to work, and new lodges +had to be made--first it was Beacon, then Peerless, and latterly Siloam, +in this city alone; besides, the order is strong in Moncton and also in +Fredericton. An encampment, too, flourishes, and is largely adding to +its membership. The Odd Fellows' Hall was pleasantly situate in what +used to be No. 5 Engine House. The hall was commodious and neatly +furnished, and the ante-rooms were convenient and well adapted for +carrying on the exercises of the order. The ground flat and second story +were occupied by Mr. Richard Welch, and the Odd Fellows met in the room +immediately overhead. The loss by fire to the order was quite +extensive, though a good deal of the regalia and paraphernalia were +saved through the forethought of some of the members who managed to get +into the building in time. The fire swept both sides of Horsfield +Street, and carried along with it the dwelling of P. Besnard, Esq., and +the house where James Hannay, the historian, lived. Mr. Hannay, who was +at Oakpoint during the conflagration preparing his history of Acadia, +lost a number of valuable books, including some high-priced and scarce +volumes.[G] Some two or three hundred pages of his history were printed, +but these were destroyed in the printing houses where they were kept. +Fortunately Mr. Hannay had with him one copy of the sheets as far as +printed, so the loss is not irretrievable. A portion of the unprinted +manuscript, however, shared the common fate of everything that came in +contact with fire on that fatal day, and this the historian had to +re-write. In this street the old Theatre[H] once stood, in which +professionals and amateurs read Shakspeare and Massinger to admiring +audiences. Among the amateurs, some of our readers may remember, were +the late Richard Seely, who was accounted a good actor in his day, and +the late Col. Otty, whose Othello was a really creditable performance. +While the fire was rendering desolate this street, the other wing of it +was ruthlessly invading Germain Street, to the very water's edge. Otis +Small's corner house, the Thomson House, some of the inmates of which +had to flee in small boats, the residences of the Messrs. McMillan, +father and son, the old Bayard House, the Seed's property, the former +residence of W. O. Smith, Esq., No. 119, and then in the occupancy of +the inmates of the Home for the Aged, some of whom got away in hardly +enough time to save their lives. + +Mr. Carey's Parsonage was on fire very soon after this, and all efforts +to save it or the old Baptist Church next door, proved unavailing. In a +short time only a blackened wall of smouldering ruins stood there to +tell in more eloquent language than words could relate, of the sad havoc +which the fire-king had made. For many years this church was to the +Baptists, what Trinity, St. Andrew's, and Germain Street Chapel were to +their denominations. It, too, had a history of its own, as dear to the +people who Sunday after Sunday sat within its walls and heard the word +of God spoken, as the historic data which filled every niche and corner +of the first English Church in the city. It was first built of wood +three score years ago, on the old site where the brick church stood, a +period ago since, and such men as John M. Wilmot, Thomas Pettingill, and +Jeremiah Drake, were the leading pillars and supporters of a body of +Christians distinguished alike for their charity, faithfulness, and +liberality. The church was organized in 1810, ground was broken in 1818 +and the large frame building was opened for service July 12th of the +same year. Wm. Stenning and Thomas Harding purchased the site, and the +former gentleman superintended the building of the edifice. For many +years this was the only meeting-house which the Baptists had, and there +are men living to-day who remember the struggles and trials which the +denomination experienced in trying to plant a foothold in the sparsely +populated district which St. John then was. The pastors of this church +were known far and wide as earnest and faithful men, and such names as +Samuel Robinson, Casewell, Bill, Henry Vaughan, and G. M. W. Carey, live +in the hearts of all people and add lustre to any faith. When the +question of tearing down the old structure which had withstood the +storms of nearly half a century, and the replacing of it with a new one +to be built of brick was proposed, there were many in the congregation +who had grown up with the church through the long decades of time, and +who had watched the building step by step, advance to its completion, +and proudly take its place among the sacred edifices of the street of +churches. These men opposed the measure, but the march of new ideas +prevailed, and in 1863, the last of the old church was borne away and a +handsome brick building was begun. The former vestry was converted into +a parsonage, and the Rev. Henry Vaughan, son of the late Simon Vaughan, +of St. Martin's, was the minister in charge. The church cost forty +thousand dollars. Mr. Vaughan died in 1864. When Mr. Carey, the present +pastor, arrived in St. John in 1865, the church was being built and he +preached for a while in the basement, and in December, 1866, the first +sermon in the church proper was preached by the same eloquent minister. +A tablet was erected to the memory of his predecessor in the church. In +1873 this church was partially destroyed by fire, but the enterprising +congregation soon had it up again. Thus has this edifice passed through +two ordeals of like character. The church had just begun to recover from +its first disaster. The liberality of its people had placed it out of +debt, and while in the enjoyment of a splendid prosperity it was +stricken down before the very eyes of the powerless people who loved it +most. No one could do anything but watch the rapid demolition, and +behold the rafters swing and the building rock and shake, and observe +the long sinewy flames grapple with the walls and hurl them to the +earth. There were strong men that day who wept when they witnessed the +destruction. And when the sad work was done, some gathered near the +ruins and looked down upon the site that had held a church while they +were yet babes, and old gray-haired veterans who had worshipped here all +their lives, felt that death would not be so bitter now since church and +home were gone forever. The insurance on this church was very light and +the loss is very heavy. The pastor saved literally nothing of his own +effects and his fine library and the intellectual labour of twenty +years, passed from his gaze with the rapidity of the whirlwind. + +The fire next crossed the street, and attacked Mr. Harding's houses, +destroying his residence, and that of Mr. Joseph Allison. Queen Street +shared the common fate; and on the side of Germain Street opposite the +church, in the building where Mrs. Crane had her seminary for young +ladies, the inmates were forced to escape in the International steamer, +and get away from the fire by water. The street was impassable, and all +hope of getting through to a locality which had not yet been reached by +the flames had to be abandoned. Terror seized the ladies for the moment, +but the courage which sometimes comes with despair, made them cool +enough to think of the water. The strength of iron came to them, and in +a moment they were saved. It was before this house that a woman fell on +her knees and offered up prayer; and here it was that another woman, +fearing the judgment day at hand, gave utterance to loud wails and +cries, that sent a pang to every heart. In the melee, an old lady +belonging to the Home for the Aged was lost, and her feeble sisters in +adversity moaned and mourned for her all through the night. The next day +she was found, and joy came to some hearts that had known no like +emotion for several years. Those kindly old ladies living so long +together were as one family, and a vacant chair at the table cruelly +reminded them of the broken homes they had too often seen. The houses +across Queen Street, on this same side of Germain Street, were not long +in following. Pagan Place, the old residence of the late Edward Allison, +Stephen Blizard's house on the other side, John W. Cudlip's residence, +in Germain Street, seemed to burn at the same time. The Bay View +Hotel--a valuable structure that reminded the spectator of the old +feudal time, when castles were residences of the great, was erected in +the year 1819, by Henry Wright, Collector, and used as a private +residence up to about twelve years ago. It was built by day's work, and +in those days the workmen received every Saturday night their pay in +Spanish doubloons. Change was very scarce, and there was no paper money. +Mr. Henry Wright died in 1829, and the house then fell into the +occupancy of the late Wm. Wright, Advocate General, and John Boyd, M.D. +Mr. Wilson was its lessee latterly, and it became an hotel under his +management. It held a commanding position, and looked far out to sea. +Strangers always paused to look up to the splendid front and defiant +head, which reminded them of the old strongholds which render historic +every inch of the old land across the blue water. And to-day, the ruins +look even more picturesque and grand than the building did in its +proudest days. Another landmark has been taken away, and it did not long +survive those who dwelt in its spacious halls in the days of the long +ago. + +But while the fire was busy with this portion of the City, it was also +extremely active and equally destructive in the lower part of St. John. +The barracks were even burned down long before it was deemed likely that +the Victoria Hotel would go. The sparks travelling in this direction +with great rapidity, soon communicated with the long, low building which +was built for the troops in 1819.[I] The fire, when it reached here had +full scope. Nothing stood in its way, and it really spent its greatest +strength here. The majority of the houses in this quarter were composed +of wood, and so many of them were close together, that four or five +houses were burned to the ground in about the same space that in +ordinary times would be spent in consuming one. The burning of the +barracks was witnessed by several thousand persons, and, for a while +there were some who fancied that the blaze would cease with the +destruction of this property. But, alas, for the fallacy of human hopes. +The great headway of the flame was made, and nothing could stop it, till +from sheer exhaustion, it spent itself. But the eager wind kept fanning +it into fury whenever it shewed signs of abatement and not until it +reached the barren banks along the water's edge did it relinquish its +grasp on men's household goods and homes. Even then it did not stop at +once, for small scrubs of trees, bits of shrubbery and grass fed it for +a while. Indeed the fire may be said to have taken a new lease of life +in those back places, and the rookeries of whole streets were swept into +ruin and their inmates hurried into greater misery than they had ever +known before. In Main Street, St. James (Episcopalian) Church was +burned; it caught very soon from a flying spark. This church was erected +in the summer of 1850 by Trinity Church. The parish was set off from +Trinity in 1852, but the church was built two years before; the dividing +line of the parish was south of Queen Street; the first rector was the +Rev. John Armstrong who was succeeded by his son, Rev. Wm. Armstrong who +held the rectorship nearly twenty years. The building was of the +Gothic cruciform style of architecture and Mr. M. Stead was the +architect. It had no tower. The first wardens were the late John R. +Robinson, Esq., father of the agent in this city of the Bank of Nova +Scotia, and the late Wm. Wright. The church was situate on the south +side of Main Street, between Sydney and Carmarthen Streets and the lots +ran through to Sheffield Street. The Sunday-school building was built in +the rear. + +The Sheffield Street Mission House and the Carmarthen Street Mission +House (Methodist) were structures of late origin, and for a while did +much good in the locality where they were placed. The fire visited them +very soon and they were burned in a short time. All along Carmarthen +Street the flames sped quickly, completely encircling every house with +which it came in contact, and whenever they met a crossing street the +fire drove through it with seeming greater fury and impetuosity. The +lately erected Adam's terrace--a row of comfortable dwellings just +finished within the year--burned with a tremendous roar that was heard +above the din, for blocks away. In these houses were the families of +Robt. Turner, Fred. R. Fairweather and W. C. Watson, Esqs., and so +quickly did the flames spread that hardly a stick of furniture was +saved, and hundreds of valuable books were burned. Judge Watters's +residence, the home of Attorney-General King, Henry A. Austin's, Madame +Caritte's, and the Henderson houses, hardly lived thirty minutes in the +winding sheets of flame. The fire came up Carmarthen Street, up +Princess Street, up Leinster Street, up Duke Street, up Orange Street, +to the rear of those streets and down King Street east and also in its +rear on a portion of the south side. Many believed and there seemed good +grounds for that belief, that but for the torch of the incendiary, +Leinster Street would have been preserved. No one doubts but that it was +set on fire by some miscreant either through madness or through the hope +of gain. This is beyond dispute. The fire was going in the opposite +direction, nothing could bring it up towards King Square and the head of +Leinster Street. It was out of all reason to suppose that the sparks +could be carried to these points for the wind was opposite, and the open +square had, till late in the evening, kept the flames away and broke the +connection. The old[J] Hazen House built by Dr. Thomas Paddock, which is +still standing to-day, and passed safely through the fire, stood +invincible at the head of a column of buildings. The fire was confined +to its own seething territory, and this block between Leinster and East +King Street, and the whole of King Square were safe. But as the night +advanced,[K] a house far away from the reach of flying cinders, was +observed on a sudden to be throwing out flames, and from that moment all +knew the eastern portion of the city was doomed to destruction. +Christian Robertson's mammoth stable, with its splendid livery +appointments, and large stock of feed and hay, representing large value, +was only a plaything of the moment. Old St. Malachi's Chapel, the first +Roman Catholic Church in the city, caught from the sparks which were +borne on the breeze from the stable. Its destruction was complete. The +first service held by a clergyman of the Faith in St. John, was in the +City Hall, Market Square, 1813, by Rev. Charles French. St. Malachi's +Chapel was opened by that gentleman, October 1st, 1815. Among the +priests who succeeded him in that place were Father McQuade, who in +1819, had thirty women and thirty-five men for a congregation, and +Fathers Macmahon, Carrol, and Dumphy. Mr. Carrol came from Halifax, and +was the nephew of the first Roman Catholic Bishop of the Maritime +Provinces--Bishop Burk. Of late years St. Malachi's was used for school, +lecture, bazaar, and other purposes. Some of the most eloquent efforts +of J. C. Ferguson and R. J. Ritchie, have been delivered from the +platform of this Hall, on temperance and other topics. St. Malachi's was +used as a church until the cathedral was opened under Bishop Connolly's +charge. The St. Vincent De Paul Society met in this hall for several +years, as well as those other excellent institutions, the C. T. A. and +St. Joseph's Societies. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[G] Smith's History of Virginia, Ed. of 1627, on large paper: +Smith's History of New York, large paper edition, 1758, presentation +copy to Governor Ellis, of Georgia: and a very valuable historical +library on New England and Acadian History. + +[H] This was the old Friary. + +[I] Before this the troops lived on Fort Howe Hill, and the +artillery at Hare's Wharf. + +[J] The lot where the Hazen House now stands (King Square) was +bought in 1790, by Mr. Thomas Horsfield for L6 5s., and sold by him five +years later for L5, to a number of gentlemen who erected a grist mill +there. In 1800, they abandoned the enterprise, and in 1818, the spot was +used as a barracks at the time when one-third of the militia were called +out for a few months, when war with the United States was threatened. A +day or two after the fire in June, 1877, the Bank of New Brunswick +opened a temporary office there for a few days, and a soldier of the +97th regiment kept guard over the building at night. Some of the 62nd +also did duty here. + +[K] The fire broke out in rear of Dr. Boyle Travers' residence. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + A hard-working Manager--The Dramatic Lyceum--The Temperance + Hall--The Water-Works Building--A Hard Fight--Another Rush of + the Homeless--The Weary March of the Unfortunates--History of + the Water Supply--Early Struggles--Changes--The Old Way--The + St. John Water Company--Placed in Commission--The Company + To-day. + + +The cosy Dramatic Lyceum, endeared to old theatre-goers on account of +many pleasant memories, was reduced to ashes after the fire had +destroyed the marble establishments of Jas. and Robt. Milligan and S. P. +Osgood. Like Robertson's stable it was not long in the throes of +dissolution, for it parted company with the earth in a few brief +moments. It had been built a score of years and more, and for a long +time it was the chief place of amusement in the city. Its builder was +the father of theatricals in St. John, and no man ever did more for his +chosen profession than he. He worked with the vigour which only an +enthusiast feels, and now at the close of his long managerial career, +extending over a quarter of a century, he can look back with pride and +satisfaction on the work he has done. He has taught the people all they +know of dramatic affairs to-day. He has educated and elevated their +tastes, and by the production of the great masterpieces of Shakespeare, +Jonson, Massenger, Bulwer, Goldsmith and Sheridan, he has instilled into +the minds of the citizens a love of all that is admirable and beautiful +in our common literature. He it was, who at great pecuniary sacrifice +brought such an artist as Charles Mathews here, and it was under his +management that Charles Dillon, E. L. Davenport, Frederic Robinson, +Wyzeman Marshall and the famous comedian, Wm. J. Le Moyne,[L] played +short engagements in our city. When the plain, but comfortable Lyceum +was built, it was the first step towards a regular theatre that had been +made, and in his early days Mr. Lanergan had much to contend against and +many old prejudices to break down. A hundred arguments were brought to +bear against his enterprise. Many good people, unskilled in the +knowledge of the world, and who had never in their lives attended a +theatre, were the most open in their denunciation of it and its +teachings. Fathers were exhorted to keep their boys at home, and men and +women were enjoined not to attend the performances in this "devil's +house." But Mr. Lanergan showed his patrons that he could furnish a +species of amusement harmless in its character and respectable in its +quality. He selected from the wide range of plays only those which +taught good lessons, and the ladies and gentlemen he secured to give +utterance to the thoughts of the masters in literature, were persons of +irreproachable character and conduct. He saw his efforts rewarded at +length, and during the last ten years of his career his audiences +comprised the _elite_ of the city. The old Lyceum was ever a pleasant +place. It was cosy and easy and roomy, and one could always see an +acceptable performance on its little stage. The building was sold to +the Irish Friendly Society a few months ago and it was used by them for +concerts, entertainments, &c. On the night of the fire it was under +engagement to a minstrel party.[M] + +After this temple of art was overthrown the fire burned along the square +till it struck the Hazen building, now owned by C. M. Bostwick, who had +but recently renovated it from top to bottom. But this corner house was +too much for the fire, the fiend was baffled in its object, and though +late through the night it made several inefficient attempts to raise its +head, when the morning dawned, the Hazen Building was still safe and +defiant, for the flames were at its feet helpless and weak. The fire +crept along the square and passed the burned district when it divided +itself into two wings. The right body went up Leinster Street, and the +left wing proceeded around by the square, attacked the Court House, was +repulsed, when it burned the buildings adjoining No. 2 Engine House, and +made a sortie in rear of the jail. It was well nigh successful in its +object, and indeed a portion of this edifice was burned. The prisoners +were made secure, and a grand exit took place under the immediate +supervision of Deputy Sheriff Rankine. Two or three of the culprits +managed to escape, but they returned next day, after wandering about the +city, and gave themselves up, fearing lest they would starve in the +desolate and destitute town. The jail successfully resisted the flames, +but not so the old Temperance Hall which stood beside it. This +antiquated and wholly unattractive meeting-house was put up about thirty +years ago, and was originally intended for a school in connection with +the poor-house, which stood on the corner of Carmarthen and East King +Streets. The Temperance Order was organized in St. John, May 12th, 1847, +and the leading men were Hon. S. L. Tilley, C.B., Lieut.-Governor of the +Province, Chas. A. Everett, the Smilers, John Rankine, W. H. A. Keans, +S. B. Paterson, O. D. Wetmore, and of late years, Samuel Tufts, Edw. +Willis, A. G. Blakslee, J. A. S. Mott, and Sheriff Harding. The +organization met in King Street till they were burned out, after which +they settled in the Temperance Hall near the jail, where they have +remained ever since. The interior of this block was burned, and only the +Court House, which was opened for the first time for Supreme Court uses +by Judge Botsford at the January Circuit of 1830, the Registry Office, +and the City Prison were left. It was only by dint of the most strenuous +exertions that these buildings were kept proof against the levelling +qualities of the left wing, which again and again reared its front till +it was firmly laid low at eleven in the evening of that terrible day. +The old poor-house in Carmarthen Street was hemmed in by the united +forces of left and right, and it easily succumbed without even a show of +resistance. The defence of the office of the Superintendent of Water +Supply[N] was one of the memorable events in connection with the history +of the fire. In the yard people from all quarters of the city had stored +their goods in the vain hope that the fire could never reach them. The +situation of the office seemed to promise safety. It was far away from +the business portion of the town, and no one dreamed of its being +attacked from the contingent which moved along Carmarthen Street. Here +at least many persons thought, was a place of safety. From four o'clock +in the afternoon, while the rich row of buildings in the Market Square +were struggling against overwhelming odds, load after load of furniture, +merchandise and general chattels poured into the spacious yard, and even +the office itself was for a time a vast warehouse. It was only when the +work of the incendiary showed itself in Leinster Street and old +Malachi's toppled over, that the destruction of the well-equipped office +was considered imminent. Then it was that heart-sick and weary men and +women, who had worked all day, and who had lost nearly all they +possessed, and had hoped what little they had taken to the water-office +yard would be saved, began to realize the situation. Where could they go +now? Where could they take the only remnants which reminded them of the +bright home they had had that morning. Twice had they gathered up the +fragments, and in each removal the little heap grew smaller than before. +But it was worse now. In the afternoon teams could be had for five +dollars a load, and now as high as thirty, and even fifty dollars were +refused by inhuman drivers. Calamities sometimes make barbarians of men, +and the nearer the flames got, and the hotter the breath of the fire +became, the more exorbitant was the price asked by owners of vehicles, +and the more inhumanity mankind exhibited. Women cried and groaned as +they fell on all that was left, and some begged piteously for help. But +when they got a dray or a sloven, where could they go? The wild behemoth +could overtake them where'er they went. But on came the fire, both sides +of the street, back again by Carmarthen Street, up by Carmarthen Street. +Here the force united, and crushing out all before it, drove with +tremendous energy and iron-like rigour into the very heart of the +building. In an instant it was on fire in ten places, and the huge pipes +alongside that looked so like an array of mounted cannon, were all that +remained in the yard the next day. The blacksmith shop, oil-house, +stable, and everything near showed scarcely a trace of what they had +been. The great bulk of the valuable records, papers and plans and +specifications of the office were saved through the untiring vigilance +of the superintendent, his valuable aids and the workmen in the employ +of the Company. Nothing, indeed, that could not be replaced in a little +time was lost. + +In this connection, a brief sketch of the water supply of St. John will +not be without interest. It is only half a century ago that the +inhabitants of this city were dependent on wells for the water which +they drank and used. Even at later date than that it used to be sold +about the streets from tall casks, at a penny a bucketful. The chief +wells were in King's Square, Blockhouse Hill--the vantage ground of many +a well-contested fisticuff battle between the rising generation; +Princess Street, near Charlotte; Queen Square, the foot of Poor House +Hill, which in winter made such a splendid coasting road; and in +Portland close by the first public hydrant, now in Main Street. In +1820, agitation was made for a better system of water supply; but it was +not until 1825 that the question took definite shape, and an Act for the +incorporation of a water company, with a capital of L10,000 passed the +Legislature. Surveys were at once made, and estimates were laid before +the stockholders, but the capital subscribed was deemed insufficient to +enable them to go on with the work in hand. The money was accordingly +lent out on interest until the next year, when each stockholder received +back the sum he had paid in, with three per cent. added. A number of new +wells were sunk at once, and every effort made to secure for the people +a fuller supply. In 1832, Hon. William Black, Nehemiah Merritt, James +White, John Ward, George D. Robinson, Thomas Barlow, Hugh Johnston, John +M. Wilmot, James Hendricks, Thomas Millidge, Robert W. Crookshank, +Zalmon Wheeler, Robert Parker, William B. Kinnear, Richard Sands, +Lauchlan Donaldson, Charles Simonds, James T. Hanford, William Leavitt, +and Noah Disbrow had an Act passed for the Incorporation of the St. John +Water Company. It started with a subscribed capital of L20,000, five per +cent. of which was to be paid in a year from the date of the passing of +the Act. The shares were placed at L5 each. Directors were to be elected +every year, and consist of thirteen in number, and seven of the old +directors were to remain in office each year. In 1834, a new Act was +passed, amending the one which was sanctioned two years previously, but +the Company was not regularly organized until 1837. Colonel Baldwin, +C.E., during this year, made surveys, and on his advice the first +practical attempt at bringing the water into the city from Lily Lake was +made. An engineer was appointed, and, under his management, the first +City Water Works were built. The water was not brought, as in the +opinion of eminent engineers it should have been, directly from Lily +Lake to the city by its own gravitation, but was taken from the tail of +Gilbert's Mill, and conducted thence by a sluice to a reservoir or a +cistern, which was placed a few yards to the south-west of the +Marsh-bridge. An engine and pumping-house was erected over the cistern, +a steam-engine and gear were procured, and the water was sent through a +ten-inch main to the reservoir, which was on Block House Hill. The water +was first brought through the pipes to the city in October, 1838. The +supply passed through a very limited number of pipes, and the +inhabitants, up to 1850, could only get water two hours each morning. +The Company, from its first organization, suffered the pangs of +financial troubles. The stock had met with many takers, who subscribed +readily, but when called on for their payments failed to respond. A loan +of L5,000 was received from the Legislature, which relieved the company +somewhat for the nonce. In 1850, an appeal was made to the citizens on +public grounds, and they were earnestly solicited to take up the new +shares which were offered. The money from this source was to be applied +to the extending of the works to, and bringing the water from, Little +River at Scott's Mill, five miles away from the city. This course had +been recommended by Chas. W. Fairbanks, Esq., C.E., of Halifax, under +whose supervision the water had been introduced into that city. The city +took up 900 shares, and private individuals bought the balance. The site +at Scott's Mill was purchased, a small dam was built, and a twelve-inch +main, four and a half miles in length, was laid. This main the company +connected with the ten-inch main that was laid in 1837-8. The same main +is still perfect, and to-day works as well as ever. In 1852 an Act was +passed, authorizing a further increase in the capital to the amount of +L10,000, to be made preference stock. This was necessary to meet the +growing demand of consumers, and to enable the company to extend their +pipes through the streets. In April, 1855, an Act was passed to allow +the company to transfer their property and works to the City Corporation +and Sessions. This step was deemed prudential for many reasons, the +chief of which was the great difficulty the company experienced in +running the water and sewerage systems separately. The conveyance was +made. The Act authorized the Commissioners to issue debentures, bearing +six per cent. interest, payable half-yearly, and redeemable at periods +not exceeding forty years from their date. Two of the commissioners, one +of whom should be chairman, were to be appointed by the Common Council, +and another by the County Sessions. John Sears, Esq.--who lost in the +great fire all his private papers, historical recollections which he had +been collecting for forty years, and a number of rare oil paintings and +portraits, an irreparable loss--was the first chairman, with the late +John M. Walker, and John Owens, Esquires, as Commissioners. In 1864, +Edward E. Lockhart, Esq., the present chairman, was appointed to the +office, and the late Thomas King, and J. D. Woodworth, Esquires, +Commissioners. On Mr. King's death, Mr. Stephen K. Brundage was +appointed, and Mr. William Seely took Mr. Woodworth's place. + +[Illustration: VIEW FROM QUEEN SQUARE.] + +The first step taken by the commission was the improvement of the works. +The dam at Little River reservoir was built higher and stronger, and +during the progress of operations on it, it burst twice, and Gilbert +Murdoch, Esq., the chief engineer, narrowly escaped drowning on one of +these occasions. A twenty-four inch main was laid from the reservoir, +and almost at the same time, and for most of its length, beside the ten +inch main put down in 1850. This came across the Marsh bridge, and was +connected, along with the twelve inch main, with an iron chamber, from +which the water flowed into the original ten inch main, running up +Brussels Street to the reservoir; a twelve inch main up Waterloo Street; +a twelve inch main which went by the city road to Portland, and mains +which have been put down later. The reservoir in Leinster Street was +also thoroughly improved. + +A new twelve inch main was laid up Erin Street, through St. Patrick and +Wentworth Streets, to Princess, in 1868. The twelve inch main that is +laid up Waterloo street, also goes along Sydney to Princess streets, and +the Portland twelve inch main is extended nearly to the spot where the +defunct street railway stables were, on Main Street, where an eight inch +pipe joins it, and carries the water as far as Rankin's mill, by way of +the steamboat wharves. + +This brings the history of the water supply down to about nine years +ago. Since that time, the progress which has been made upon it has been +great and rapid. A vast amount of money and skill have been expended to +bring the works down to the splendid state of perfection in which they +are now. The water supply is excellent, and the system of sewerage is +unsurpassed anywhere. Under great natural difficulties the work has been +prosecuted, but the engineers and their workmen, by dint of +perseverance, have surmounted the many obstacles which beset them on +every side. Before leaving this subject, a remark or two may be made +about the source from which our people receive their supply of water. +The Victoria spring is situate on a hill-side, about a mile this side of +Loch Lomond. Its waters form the head of Little River. Lake Donaldson is +near the spring, and the Victoria is supposed to drain it. The stream +from the spring flows into Douglas Lake, a sheet of water on the south +side of the Loch Lomond road, eight miles from the Marsh Bridge. It is +three miles from Lake Douglas to the reservoir. Lake Latimer, one of the +feeders of Little River on the south side, is nearly as high as Loch +Lomond. Its waters are as clear as crystal. Lake Buck, which also flows +into Little River, lies about a quarter of a mile away from it. Long's +Lake which is on the right side of Little River as it flows towards +Courteney Bay, is about a mile to the north of Loch Lomond Road, and +empties itself into the reservoir. That a still further head may be had +when wanted, the Commissioners purchased land through which they can +bring a strong supply of water from Loch Lomond. There is an abundance +of water in Little River for the immediate requirements of the city, but +the supply can be doubled easily by tapping Loch Lomond. + +The water in the Little River Reservoir is one hundred and sixty feet +above high tide level; and in the Leinster Street Reservoir it is one +hundred and thirty-two feet. A good deal of nonsense, during the +excitement of the present fire, was talked about an inadequate supply of +water to meet the wants of the exigency, but this was found to be +fallacious. There was plenty of water all the time, and while there was +much reckless and needless waste, there was sufficient of the element to +meet the demands of the firemen and hose-men. It is a popular cry to +raise at a fire which cannot be got under way, that there is no water. +On the best authority the writer is happy to be able to place it on +record that the supply of water was in every way adequate to the +requirements of the hour. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[L] Mr. Le Moyne's second appearance in St. John was at the +Academy of Music, in October, 1876, when he appeared in a round of +favourite characters from dramatizations of Dickens' novels, under the +management of Mr. Charles H. Thayer, of Boston. + +[M] As many readers take interest in the programmes used on +first nights of theatres we give a copy of Mr. Lanergan's opening bill, +at the Lyceum. It runs as follows: + + ST. JOHN DRAMATIC LYCEUM. + SOUTH SIDE KING'S SQUARE, ST. JOHN, N. B. + + _Manager and Proprietor_ MR. J. W. LANERGAN. + _Stage Director_ FRANK REA. + _Scenic Artist_ D. A. STRONG. + _Machinist and Property Maker_ D. J. MORIARTY. + _Ticket Master_ T. A. ALLISON. + + "Those who live to please, + Must please to live!" + + GRAND OPENING NIGHT! + + The above new and elegant place of amusement will open for the + first regular Dramatic Season, on Monday evening, June 15, 1857, + with a full, Efficient and Talented Dramatic Company,--comprising + the following well known Ladies and Gentlemen: + + Mr. W. A. DONALDSON, } + " N. DAVENPORT, } From the Boston Theatre. + " N. C. FORRESTER, } + " FRANK REA From Wallack's Theatre, New York. + " F. S. BUXTON. From the Canadian Theatres. + G. F. TYRRELL; J. C. WALLACE; E. B. HOLMES; D. J. MORIARTY; P. + MORIARTY AND J. W. LANERGAN, + Mrs. J. W. LANERGAN, } + " FRANK REA, } From Wallack's Theatre, New York. + Miss E. HOMAN From the Boston Theatres. + Mrs. F. S. BUXTON " Canadian " + " J. C. WALLACE + " N. C. FORRESTER " Boston " + and " J. C. MORIARTY " " " + + _The entertainment will commence as above with the National Anthem!_ + + GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, + + By the Orchestra.--After which an Original opening Address written, + and to be delivered by + G. F. TYRRELL. + + To be followed by Sir E. L. BULWER'S Chaste and Elegant Comedy in + 5 acts, entitled + MONEY! + + "'Tis a very good world that we live in, + To lend, or to spend, to give in,-- + But to beg, or to borrow, or to get a man's own, + 'Tis the very worst world that ever was known." + + Alfred Evelyn Mr. J. W. LANERGAN. + Benjamin Stout, Esq. (first appearance) FRANK REA. + Sir John Vesey " " N. C. FORRESTER. + Lord Glossmore G. F. TYRRELL. + Mr. Graves (first appearance) Mr. F. S. BUXTON. + Sir Fredk. Blunt " " N. DAVENPORT. + Capt. Dudley Smooth " " W. A. DONALDSON. + Sharp J. C. WALLACE. + Toke (first appearance) D. J. MORIARTY. + Clara Douglas Mrs. J. W. LANERGAN. + Lady Franklyn (first appearance) Mrs. FRANK REA. + Georgina Mrs. J. C. WALLACE. + + _The entertainments of the evening will conclude with the Amusing + farce, with_ NEW READING, of + MR. & MRS. PETER WHITE. + + Mr. Peter White Mr. F. S. BUXTON. + Major Pepper " N. C. FORRESTER. + Frank Brown " E. B. HOLMES. + Widow White Mrs. J. W. LANERGAN. + Mrs. Peter White " FRANK REA. + Kitty Clover " J. C. WALLACE. + + _PRICES OF ADMISSION._ + Parquette 1s. 3d.--Dress Circle 2s. 6d.--Private and Family + Boxes $4, 5 & 6 each. + + ==> Private and Family boxes can be secured in advance by application + at the Box Office. + + DOORS OPEN AT HALF PAST 7--COMMENCE AT 8. + _Ladies unaccompanied by gentlemen not admitted._ + Good order is expected and will be rigidly enforced. + PRINTED AT DAY'S JOB OFFICE, 4 MARKET STREET. + +[N] On these premises was situated the St. John Meteorological +Observatory. This was destroyed, but all the instruments belonging to +the Dominion were saved. Night and day observations have been made here +under the superintendence of Gilbert Murdoch Esq., C. E., during the +last 25 years. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + Burning of the Leinster Street Baptist Church--The Varley + School--Centenary Chapel--The Gas Works--$17,000 worth of Coal + burn in Ten Days--The Tall Sentinel--St. David's Church--The + Reformed Presbyterian Church--The Victoria School--Gigantic + Ruins--An Accident--Sketch of the School-house. + + +After destroying the fence which enclosed the premises of the Water +Company, the fire crossed the street, burned Mr. Wm. Murdoch, jr.'s, +house, and turned its attention to the Leinster Street Baptist Church, +which was soon brought to the level of the earth. This building was +cleanly and squarely burned, and nothing approaching to the semblance of +an edifice could be seen on the spot half-an-hour after the fire ceased. +The building was completely swept away. The corporate body of the church +was organized in 1858, under the pastorate of the Rev. E. B. Demill, son +of Nathan S. Demill, with a membership of sixteen. The church was begun +1861, and in two months and a half the basement was finished and ready +for service. In three years afterwards the church proper was completed, +and the parsonage was erected in 1874. The former cost $13,000, and the +latter $6,500. The second minister who presided over this congregation, +was the Rev. W. V. Garner, who officiated for the first time in 1864. He +was succeeded, in 1867, by Rev. W. S. Mackenzie, a trenchant writer and +an excellent reasoner. The Rev. J. D. Pope followed him in 1874, and was +the pastor of the church at the time of the conflagration. The early +deacons and prominent men of the church, were the late Nathan S. Demill +and Saml. Kinsman. Hon. A. McL. Seely, A. W. Masters, J. F. Marsters, +and Stephen E. Gerow are the present deacons. The building was fully +insured, and after the church debt of $3,000 is paid, the people will +have about $15,000 with which to commence re-building. + +The old Varley Wesleyan day-school, a brick building which a prominent +Methodist--the late Mark Varley--designed for the purpose of educating, +free, the poor belonging to his faith, made a resolute stand against the +forces of the leveller. But in vain was water dashed upon the building. +The intense heat drove the people back and no efforts of man could +prevent the school-house from being in the end subdued. This property +was erected a little more than twenty years ago and served its purpose +long and well. A first-class education could be gained here. The +teachers were usually men of brains, and the system employed for +imparting instruction was simple and efficacious. After the school law +came into force this school was no longer necessary under its old +management, and the school trustees leased the building from the Varley +Trustees, and it was used as an advanced school, at the time of the +fire. The building occupied two stories. The upper room was used for +girls and the lower apartment for boys. + +The rear of Centenary Chapel adjoined the Varley school, and being built +of wood and very large, it went up in a sea of flame without warning. +The church was opened on its present site, corner of Princess and +Wentworth streets, in 1839, the first Sunday after the fire in Dock +street, and was designed by Mr. Burpee, an American architect. Mr. W. B. +Frost put up the frame. The Rev. Dr. Wood, of Toronto, in 1838 preached +the sermon on the laying of the corner-stone, and after the church was +built he officiated for some years till 1846 when he left St. John. He +was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Daniel and Rev. Mr. Sutcliffe, whose +ministry lasted some three years. Rev. Dr. Knight and Rev. Mr. Cooney +followed for four years. Then Rev. Messrs. James Hennigar and Cardy were +the ministers for three years. Rev. Mr. Albrighton and Rev. Dr. Stewart, +and Rev. Mr. Botterel held service for three years more. The Rev. +Messrs. John McMurray and Wm. Wilson, were the clergymen for three +years, and Rev. J. R. Narraway followed with Rev. Dr. Richey for the +same period. After them came for two years Rev. Mr. England, who in his +turn was followed by Rev. Mr. Lathern for three years and Rev. Donald +Currie for two years. Rev. Dr. Henry Pope, who published a year ago, an +acceptable series of sermons in two volumes, entitled, "Draughts from +the Living Fountain," succeeded him for three years, and Rev. Howard +Sprague, one of the most eloquent and popular divines in the conference +was the last clergyman of this church. He was elected to proceed to +England shortly after the burning, to get subscriptions and assistance +for the rebuilding of the chapel. This church occupied the north-west +corner of Princess and Wentworth Streets. The other three corners +contained three splendid residences, those of J. V. Troop and Chas. +McLauchlan, jr., Esqs., Simeon Jones and Alexander Lockhart, Esqs. These +houses being solidly built and very strong were a good while in burning, +but they went at last and a large portion of the furniture and other +household goods that were got into the street were stolen afterwards by +the ghouls which infested the place. One lady lost in this way a +valuable box of furs, another her jewelry and a third a work-box of +ornate design and curious pattern, which contained many little +nick-nacks of value and interest. In this street depredations of a +wholesale nature went on unchecked all through the night. The houses of +Mr. W. C. Godsoe and Mr. T. Amos Godsoe were both burned, and a house +near by was pillaged by the mob even while the walls were swaying to and +fro. Mr. J. W. Scammell's house on Princess Street and Mrs. Chas. +Patton's residence caught fire from blazing brands which consumed them +speedily, and the heavens were soon alive with burning bits of wood, +which being borne on the breeze sailed lightsomely away. The fire burned +several houses in Pitt Street, and though the occupants of Orange +Terrace moved out quickly, their residences were saved, the paint only +on the doors and front being singed. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +WENTWORTH STREET.] + +The Gas house which is located on Carmarthen Street was long in +catching, but when the fire did reach it, its destruction was one of the +most beautiful sights which were witnessed that night. An immense heap +of coal took fire and the flames mounted to the sky. The great blaze +lasted nine or ten days afterwards and the value of the coal was over +$17,000. Nothing was left on the spot but the tall sentinel-like +chimney, blackened in the fire, and standing like a monument over the +wreck of an institution, which the morning before represented a value +exceeding two hundred and sixty thousand dollars. The company under the +excellent direction of Robert Blair, Esq., the President, had just +received a new lease of life and impetus. Since his assumption of the +duties of the office, the stock rapidly rose in value, the price of gas +was reduced, and improvements on a large scale had been inaugurated. In +a single night these works were swept away and only blackened heaps of +ruin remain. But the energy of Robert Blair has not departed, and in +less than six months gas will again burn as brightly as ever in the less +luxuriant halls of the stricken population who can afford it. The works +were built in 1845, and in the evening of the 18th of September of the +same year, gas was first turned on in St. John. Philip Peebles, Esq., C. +E., now of Quebec, was the engineer who furnished the plans, and Geo. +Peebles, Esq., C. E., was the Superintending Engineer. The latter +remained for a time and took charge. The first Secretary Treasurer was +Mr. Robert Reed. Mr. Gilbert Murdoch C. E. was Superintendent of the +works, and had charge of the pipe-laying and distributing arrangements. +Mr. Robert Britain, the present Secretary, succeeded Mr. Reed in the +office, and was subsequently appointed Manager, Robert Blair, Esq., was +made President but a short time since. The price of gas up to 19th June +1877, was $3.00 per thousand feet. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +BURNT DISTRICT, SHOWING GAS HOUSE CHIMNEY AND SMOKING RUINS, TAKEN FROM +LOWER COVE. + +Photo by G. F. Simonson.] + +One hundred thousand feet of gas were in the holder's close, and the +flames not a block away. The direst danger was imminent, and an +explosion terrible in its character might occur at any minute. No one +can say how many lives might have been lost, or how much valuable +property destroyed. No provision had been made to prevent this blow-up, +when Mr. Robert Britain with a prudence and forethought wonderful in a +time like the present, sought the President and pointed out to him the +vast extent of the danger which was so near. Mr. Blair immediately gave +Mr. Britain full charge, who notwithstanding that his own private +residence was being burned before his eyes, and his furniture and books, +wholly uninsured, were being swept away, stuck to his post like a hero +and averted a calamity, which might have resulted in the instant death +of hundreds of people. Such grand conduct as this deserves more than a +mere mention. Words are weak rewards for such conduct. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +WESTERN SIDE OF CITY, TAKEN FROM LOWER COVE, SHOWING +RUINS OF GAS WORKS. + +Photo. by Simonson.] + +Leinster Street was burned wholly, both sides down to Pitt Street where +the fire ceased, excepting one house, on either side which were spared. +The whole of East King Street, south side, from the jail to Pitt Street, +Princess Street both sides to Pitt Street were all destroyed. Mr. J. S. +Turner's walls in Princess Street remain in fair condition, but the +house is totally gutted. Orange Street fared the same fate. The handsome +residences of A. C. Smith, H. D. Troop, J. A. Venning and J. W. Hall, +Esqs., were devoured early by the flames. On Sydney Street two churches +suffered severely. Both of these were of the Presbyterian faith, St. +David's (Free) and the Reformed Presbyterian Kirk. The former situate in +Sydney Street, was built in 1850, and Rev. Dr. Thompson, afterwards an +eminent divine of New York, was its first pastor, and preached the +opening sermon in the new kirk. Before the kirk was erected, this body +worshipped in the old St. Stephen building, King Square, and Dr. +Thompson preached there when the congregation gathered. The Rev. Wm. +Ferrie, at one time editor of a little journal called _The Protestant_, +was the second minister, and on his retirement from his charge, he was +succeeded by the Rev. Neil McKay, and Mr. Ferrie went to New York. Mr. +McKay was followed by the present pastor, the Rev. Dr. David Waters, +whose loss in the fire was very large, the greater part of his library +having been burned. The Doctor was away at the time in Halifax, and only +reached the city when all was lost. + +The Rev. A. McL. Stavely is the senior Presbyterian clergyman of St. +John. He came to the city in the ship _Eagle_, August 3rd, 1841, having +been ordained minister at Kilbrought, Ireland, June 12th, of the same +year. On the 7th of August, 1841, he preached his first sermon in the +first Reformed Presbyterian Church which was then in the building in +Lower Cove, opposite the Public Schools, known as the Wheeler property. +He was the first minister of that denomination who came to the city, and +has continued ever since in charge of this body. In 1850, the Lower Cove +Church was sold, and has been since used for manufacturing purposes. +The church on the corner of Princess and Sydney Streets, and which was +burned, was erected in 1850. The house adjoining and which was +originally intended as a parsonage, was purchased by Mr. Stavely, as his +private house, and he has been living in it for twenty-seven years. In +1870, at a cost of $2,000, the basement of the church was excavated, and +a fine new hall for general purposes was made. By the fire Mr. Stavely +loses heavily, and his library, the accumulation of many years, was +destroyed. + +Probably, the greatest wreck of the day was the destruction of the +costly and splendid new Victoria School--a building which presented a +massive front, and occupied a commanding position on the corner of Duke +and Sydney Streets. This was the edifice which many who lived up the +street as far as Carmarthen Street firmly believed would act as a +barrier to the flames, and keep off the fire from their houses. Some so +implicitly believed this that until the high walls fairly bent over, not +an effort was made to remove even a picture from the rooms. O, said the +householders on Upper Duke street, that immense pile will never burn; we +are safe enough. But the proud edifice where a thousand children +received daily a free education, did burn, and the sight though +terrible, was one of the most impressive of the day. Now there was +hurrying and packing in three score houses at once, and loud cries to +teamsters and shrieks to servants and porters rent the air. Those, who +talked the loudest before the school was in ashes, exhibited the +greatest despair when they saw what they believed up to this moment to +be their surest safeguard, encircled in the fury of the flames, going +down before their eyes. First the wood-work around the sashes gave way, +and lights shot from half a hundred windows, and the crash of glass as +it was hurled to the pavement showed that the great fire had abated not +a jot. The hot slates on the roof came down the giddy height in scores, +and one man pinned to the earth by a falling slate was carried away +insensible of pain but with a two-inch wound upon his scalp. The flames +crackled for a while and then the dull, heavy sound of weighty bodies +falling inside sent a shudder through the waiting, watching crowd below. +The woodwork snapped and sang in the blaze, and the great stones on the +windows and cornices crumbled into fragments. And still the watchful and +waiting crowd stood in the street, straining their eyes trying to look +through the smoke, and seemingly unable to comprehend it all. It was +only a building that was burning after all. Only another splendid +edifice to add to the total of this day's fell work. Yes, this was the +last, surely it might be spared. But the despoiler would not leave one. +All, all must be swept away in the general scourge. + +As the last vestige of the school-house went down all hope for the city +passed away from men's minds. If that strong building could go so +easily, where would the fire end. Men who had lost their stores and +houses wandered about aimlessly, surveying the work of sorrow that was +going on so unceasingly and relentlessly. It was a hopeless thing now to +try to save anything. + +The Victoria School-house, of which an illustration is given, was begun +in the spring of 1875, and was occupied in the following May. Messrs. +McKean & Fairweather made the design, and it was erected under their +supervision, by Messrs. Flood & Prince. It cost $46,000; heating, +$4,000. The workmanship and materials employed in its construction were +of the most substantial character. The foundation was on piles, capped +with Georgia pine; and the basement above ground was faced with granite. +The fronts were of pressed brick, relieved with Preston bands, window +heads and cornices. The slope of the roof was slated and the deck was +gravel roofed. The building was 82 feet on Duke Street and 68 feet on +Sydney Street, three stories with high French roof, and a basement 12 +feet high. The basement contained two play-rooms, janitor's apartments +and furnaces and fuel. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors contained four rooms +each, 28 x 32, with clothes-rooms and teachers' closets. The top floor +had two rooms, 26 x 30, and a large Exhibition Hall, 16 feet high, 26 x +75. These rooms were separated by folding doors and could be thrown into +one room on occasion. The building was heated by hot water, and ample +provision was secured for ventilation by means of tubes carried between +the floors and entered through a main central shaft through the centre +of which the wrought iron smoke pipe was carried. A central projection +on Duke Street of 4 x 24 feet was brought up as a tower, above the main +roof and finished with a steep high roof. This roof and the main roof +were finished with a cast iron cresting. The lot was enclosed with a +neat iron railing set in a free stone wall. The school-house was well +equipped with furniture. + +[Illustration: VICTORIA SCHOOL HOUSE, CORNER OF DUKE AND SYDNEY +STREETS.] + +In Duke Street the meeting-house of the Disciples of Christ (Christians) +was situate. This church was built of wood and of course burned very +rapidly. The members had their first place of worship in Charlotte +Street where Mr. Jack's buildings were. About twenty years ago they +removed to this building in Duke Street. Brother Tuttle was the first +pastor and Mr. Eaton was the second, Bro. Patterson the next, and Elder +Geo. W. Garrity was the fourth and last. A few years ago a division took +place in the church, and a new edifice was built at the head of +Jeffrey's Hill, and about half of the members of the old congregation +linked their fortunes with the new order of things. + +The old Madras School on the south side of Duke Street, and the Roman +Catholic School-house on Sydney Street, adjoining the Victoria School +and which was formerly taught by the Christian brothers were burned +also. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Queen Square--Incidents in the Burning--The Old Pitcher--"God is + burning up the World, and He won't make another"--Saved from the + flames--Overtaken by Fire three times--The Night of Terror on Queen + Square--Alone amidst Perils--The Lone House on the Square--Three + People under a Table--The sailor--"If I Die to-night sir, hunt them + up"--The escape--The Deserted Streets--An Anomaly--The Marine + Hospital--What a few Buckets of Water Did--The Wiggins Orphan + Asylum--The block in Canterbury street--The _News_ office--Savings + Bank. + + +Some of the most terrible incidents of the fire took place during the +burning of Queen Square. The flames carrying away Mr. Manson's residence +on the corner of Sydney Street and the square, had entered Mr. A. L. +Palmer's house soon afterwards, and then the whole block was hurried to +destruction. The square was filled with the savings of the people, not +alone of those who lived hard by, but many things were here that had +been carried to the vacant space from a long distance early that day. +There was bedding in abundance, and all round about little heaps of +general household stuff lay guarded by women and boys. This for a time +was the haven of safety, and the broad field looked like a vast +warehouse. Chairs and bedsteads and even stoves and old pipes were piled +in hopeless confusion one upon the other. In the hurry people had taken +that which they had seen first, and the common things of the kitchen +were saved while the rich furniture of the drawing-room was left to +perish. A man congratulated himself upon saving an old tub and a +dipper, while the books in the library lay untouched save by the fire, +and private papers that he could easily have slipped into his pocket, +burned before his eyes. A lady told her husband to be careful and take a +bag which contained the massive silver plate of her family for a +century, and in the moving it was found that he had saved the rag-bag +instead. A man who had been a prosperous merchant lost his all, and the +little savings he had scraped together in a decade of years seemed to +melt before him, but he that night knelt and thanked his God that his +wife and child were by his side. These treasures were near him and all +else might go. He had his strong and willing hands still left, and a +firm spirit, and though for a while he would miss the little comforts he +had been accustomed to, yet would he battle with the world again, and in +the coming years try to win back some of the fruits he had lost. Men in +the excitement knew not what to take first, and pianos were thrown out +of three-story windows, while carpets that had worn worthily and well +till they had become heir-looms in the family, were carefully borne down +stairs on the broad shoulders of stout porters. A thousand human beings +stood in the square watching the flames lashing the buildings before +them. John Boyd, Esq's residence, one of the handsomest buildings in the +city, richly furnished and equipped with costly books, was attacked on +both sides, and soon forced to yield and go down like the less +substantial buildings at its side. The house of G. B. Cushing, Esq., was +of wood, and it was not long before the site on which it stood was +level with the ground. Before the house of Mr. E. L. Jewett, once the +home of the late Dr. Gray, had taken fire, a gentleman tried to save it +by standing on the roof and dashing a pitcher of water on the sparks as +they caught vulnerable spots. For an hour or more he stood there with +his pitcher, when it became evident to him that no effort that he could +make would save the building, and he got down, leaving the pitcher +standing on a ledge of the chimney. The fire shortly afterwards burned +the building, and left the long chimney standing against the sky; and +the next day when the spot was visited, and people walked over the heap +of ashes that had once been a household, all that was saved was the old +pitcher, that still stood on the ledge of the chimney solitary and +alone. It told the story of the desolation more eloquently than tongue +of orator could speak, or pen of a Macaulay could describe. The house of +ex-Mayor Woodward, with its hundreds of curiosities and old relics, +including Major Andre's gun and a score of Continental dollars, caught +in the rear, and lived but a few minutes in the flames. But so it was +all round the square. When Mrs. Stevenson's strong house was going to +pieces, a flock of pigeons hovering near it were drawn in by the heat; +they whirled about for an instant, turned and rushed into the vortex, +and perished in a second. A cat, maddened and wild, cut off from all +escape, dashed along, when the fire pursued her, and she stood still. On +Thursday morning she was still standing in the same place. Her frame +only could be seen, with head up and tail erect; it was a ghastly +sight. It was during the conflagration on the square, that a little +child, five years old, sat by the window of his grandfather's house, +then in fancied security, and looked out at the flames. The little +fellow for awhile could not speak. He became pale with terror, and with +a loud cry he burst out with this thought: "O, pa, pa, come and see! God +is burning up the world, and He won't make another, and He won't make +another!" It was in vain they tried to pacify him, he still continued +his cry, and it was only when far away from the dreadful scene which +roused so strangely his youthful imagination, that he became calm. + +[Illustration: VIEW FROM QUEEN SQUARE.] + +But there were other incidents in this quarter of the city which deserve +more than a passing notice. There were deeds of heroism done and hours +of agony endured that should be recorded and remembered. There were +exploits exhibiting a broad humanity and great self-sacrifice performed, +that should not be forgotten or go down unrecognised. We had heroes in +our midst that night, and the man who climbed three stories of a house +enveloped in the flames, and snatched the sleeping infant from its crib, +and brought her safe to her agonized mother in the square below, is as +surely as brave as "he who taketh a city," or marches against the +invader of his country. If there are decorations of honour to be given, +let them be bestowed on those noble ones who saved lives that day. A +case has come under the writer's notice which deserves the fullest +publicity. Mr. D. R. Munro, after working at John McDougall's place in +York Point for some time, and then going to the assistance of an old +lady who was striving to save her bedding, started for Lower Cove in the +direction of Mr. Tucker's house. On his way he noticed with alarm the +extraordinary headway which the fire was making. Trinity and St. +Andrew's were on fire, and the Victoria Hotel just catching. Some of the +streets were so blocked up with people, and thick with flame and smoke, +that he could not pass them. He had to go through Chipman's field, but +he could not get further along Prince William Street. Germain Street was +the only way open to him, and by this thoroughfare he journeyed till he +reached Queen Square. Here Mrs. Freeman, the rigger's wife, was +gathering together her scattered effects, when her little children +raised the cry, "Quick, quick, mother's on fire! Save my mother!" Mr. +Munro and a companion rushed in, seized Mrs. Freeman, wound a carpet +about her, and tried to smother the flames with their hands. As soon as +the carpet was removed from her person, the fire again seized her, when +her clothes had to be torn from her and she was rolled on the grass with +a table-cloth wrapped tightly around her. This saved her life, and she +escaped the awful death which seemed so imminent. Mrs. Tucker's house +was by this time in great danger, the leaping flames were expected +momentarily to snatch it from its base, and people were beginning to get +the furniture away before the shock came. For a moment Mr. Munro lay on +the grass, unable to resume his exertions. He had worked from three in +the afternoon till it was nearly eight o'clock, and with hands and face +burned he rested on the grass. But his rest was of short duration, for +on looking up a sight met his eyes which filled his soul with horror. +Mrs. Tucker's house was on fire and she herself seemed in the very heart +of the flames. He almost flew to her, the courage of the lion and the +quickness of Mercury seemed to come to him all at once, and he was by +her side in an instant. Three times her bonnet caught, and as often was +the blaze extinguished. Mrs. Tucker seemed deaf to all requests of her +friends, who in vain entreated her to go away and leave her house and +furniture to their fate. She still remained by the few things she had +borne away, and it was after eight o'clock before she sought a place of +safety. A sailor was working in the cellar of her house, passing the +things he managed to lay hands on through the window. He was not aware +of his danger, for when he had got in, the flames were a good distance +off, and when he was discovered the house was on fire. In a few moments, +it would come crushing down and bury him in the ruins. Mr. Munro +hastened to his relief. Through his labours the man was rescued, for he +had not been out a hundred seconds, when, in a mass of ruins, the house +came tumbling down. The sailor, who gave his name as Robert Angus, 2nd +officer of the ship "Asiana," sought with Mr. Munro a refuge in the +square, for all hope of getting away by any of the streets was cut off. +Both sides of Charlotte Street and Sydney Street were on fire, and from +St. Andrew's Street all means of exit were away. The two men stood on +the square and looked around them. Strange emotions filled their +breasts. They were alone, standing in the centre of one of the greatest +conflagrations they had ever seen. All round them the giant flames +gathered, and closer and closer, and narrower and narrower the circle +became. The Pagoda in their rear was blazing. The posts here and there +burned at the tops, like so many huge candles. Not a soul was to be seen +on the square but themselves. The streets were deserted. Every one had +fled. The little nests of scattered effects burned on every side of +them, and the stench from smouldering feathers and domestic animals who +died by the score, was intolerable. Neither man for some minutes spoke. +Both looked out into the night. One can guess what thoughts entered +their heads. The advancing fire interrupted their reveries, and as they +could not escape from the plain in which they were imprisoned, they +looked about them for means of preservation from the intense heat, which +became greater at every moment. An old pine table was brought up to the +camping ground they had selected. A headstone of marble that was lying +at their feet, was placed at the head of it, and a carpet was wrapped +around them. In this primitive wigwam the men resolved to pass the +night. The prospect before them was gloomy enough. Just before getting +into this cabin, an old woman came hobbling up towards them, crying +aloud for help. They invited her to share their kennel. She accepted the +invitation and the three refugees watched the flames on every side of +them for two hours. There was silence for a while when the sailor, who +all through had exhibited such nerve and coolness, now showed signs of +trepidation and fear. He began to talk of his home in England, of his +wife and children, and the strong man who could do so much for others, +fairly broke down and wept bitter tears. "Who will take care of them +now, sir," he broke out with a wail. "If I die to-night, hunt them up +and tell them how I died. It is not for myself I feel, but for them, +poor bodies. You know my name and ship, sir, any of my mess-mates will +know what to do if you tell them what became of poor Bob Angus." It +would indeed move a sterner heart than Mr. Munro's, to hear a man like +this talk in a way like that. The sailor who had breasted the billows of +the ocean so long that he had begun to look upon them as his playthings, +crouched that night in his little box in Queen Square, weeping for the +loved ones at home, far, far away. Mrs. Donovan who sat beside the +sailor tried to cheer him up, but it was useless, and her words of +comfort only made him feel worse and writhe in greater agony. + +At last, for there is an end to all things, a bold sortie was proposed, +and each of the prisoners sought to force a way out of their natural +prison. Each took a direction, and in the dead of that awful night they +made their way. The hydra-head of the monster ruin withered them at +every turn. Giant walls fell crumbling at their feet, and the fire +flashed and the flames flickered on the heaps of debris which they +encountered on the sideways of their journey. Not a soul could be seen +in the streets. They met no living thing. The silence was as terrible to +them as it is to the lonely pilgrim of the forest, or the traveller in +the distant arctic, who shrieks ever and anon lest he go mad from the +effect of that awful solitude. When the parties met at the corner they +separated and each groped his way homeward through the desert of +desolation. Mr. Munro's loss is very heavy. In working for others he +neglected his own interests, and many of his personal effects have +passed away. + +On St. James Street, two buildings stood. One was a very massive and +very beautiful structure, of no precise form of architecture, but very +chaste and elegant for all that. The other was an old wooden barn-like +house that had been decaying for years, and was only waiting to be torn +down by some passing high wind. These two buildings were situate within +a stones throw of each other, and the one could have been saved just as +well as the other. A little nerve, a little will, and a few pails of +water would have done the work. The Marine Hospital was built in a +garden. It was a useful sort of affair in its day, but it had long ago +done all the good that was expected of it. Its day was past, and it must +soon have given way to a fine brick structure, to be located on its +site. When the fire came tearing along, decimating the buildings in +every block, Mr. Barnes, the keeper, and a few of the inmates stationed +themselves in good positions, and began a vigorous defence of the old +place. A number of well directed buckets of water, plied rapidly when +the fire showed itself, was all that these men did, and the old building +was saved. The fire was stubborn, for it tried a hundred times to gain a +foothold, but the men who defended the hospital were just as +indomitable, and the defence was a great success. The hospital now +stands in all its grim shabbiness and ugliness, though a barn near by, +filled with goods of all kinds, including a piano, of course, perished. +People from a distance, who came days afterwards to witness the +desolation, ask with amazement why this great house was saved, and the +noble charity almost opposite, was allowed to burn. But it is hard to +always fathom the short-sightedness of man. All praise is due to Mr. +Barnes and his assistants, for saving even one public building, and it +is a pity his example could not have been followed opposite, when the +Wiggins Orphanage caught. Only one man was left in charge, and it is not +expected that he could do everything in a time when all were at their +wits' end and full of excitement. This splendid charity was instituted +in 1867, and was founded by the late Stephen Wiggins. It was opened July +1, 1876, and erected at a cost of $80,000. Mr. Wiggins left this +magnificent sum for a male Orphan Asylum, under certain provisions. +These were, that each child to be admitted must be born in the City and +County of St. John, preference always to be shown to fatherless children +of mariners; the children must be not under the age of four nor over ten +years at the time of admission, and not to be continued in the +institution after reaching the age of fifteen years. No teacher could be +employed who was a Unitarian, Universalist or Roman Catholic, and no +Governor could act in that capacity if he were of that belief. The +Governors consisted of nine gentlemen. Those at the time of the +incorporation were, the Rev. William Scovil, Charles Merritt, Frederick +A. Wiggins, Hon. John W. Weldon, Beverley Robinson, J. D. Lewin, Geo. C. +Wiggins, Henry W. Frith, and the Rector of St. James' Church. When the +building burned, there were twelve orphans in the Asylum, but they were +safely rescued and sent to Long Island. The present Board consists of +the following gentlemen: Chas. Merritt, Hon. J. D. Lewin, Rev. Wm. +Armstrong, Rev. W. Scovil, Hon. J. W. Weldon, Geo. Sidney Smith, B. L. +Peters, H. W. Frith Rev. F. Brigstocke, with James U. Thomas, as +Secretary. At a meeting of the Governors, held on Monday, the 2nd July, +it was decided to rebuild the Institute very soon. The reader will +notice from the cut which is given of the Orphanage, that it presented a +very pretty front, and was exceedingly well built. + +In Mecklenburg Street, all that fine block of buildings on the north +side, beginning with the residence of Mr. John R. Armstrong, and +followed by Mr. John W. Nicholson's castle, the houses of the Messrs. +Magee and others; on the south side Mr. Vaughan's well-built house, and +on the corner the Stevenson property, mentioned just now, burned very +readily. Mr. John Magee's family escaped with their lives only. + +[Illustration: CANTERBURY ST., SHOWING RICHIE'S BUILDING IN THE +DISTANCE. + +Photo. by G. F. Simonson.] + +The fire in Canterbury Street levelled a block of buildings that were +the boast of the city. They were built with great care and especially +designed for the great wholesale trade which was done there. The street +is a narrow one and runs from King Street to Princess Street, and is +crossed by a small alley called Church. Of late years the street has +grown from a comparative by-way or short cut, to an extensive wholesale +stand, where merchants of large means and good business capacity have +met their clients and customers. The stocks kept in these spacious +warehouses have ever been large, and the appliances with which the +stores were supplied actually made business a luxury. The centre +building was erected and occupied by the Hon. Thomas R. Jones, wholesale +dry goods merchant. His shirt factory was situate opposite, next door to +the Printing House of McKillop & Johnston, who used to print _The Weekly +Watchman_. The second pile was built by the same merchant for Messrs. W. +H. Thorne & Co., wholesale hardware merchants, and the building on the +south of the present edifice, was erected by The North British and +Mercantile Insurance Company, Henry Jack, Esq., agent, and leased to +Messrs. Everitt & Butler, wholesale dry goods merchants. Mr. Jack's +office was in this building also. The _Daily News'_ office was between +the latter and the Savings Bank. It was erected some twenty years ago by +the present Queen's printer and former proprietor of the _Daily +News_--the first penny paper--George E. Fenety, Esq. The present +proprietors, Messrs. Willis & Mott, purchased it last September. This +year they made several improvements on it, enlarged it in the rear and +improved the inside. They had begun work on the ground flat when the +fire changed the aspect of affairs. All that was saved were three pages +of type, and the late fyles of the paper. These were carried as far as +Reed's Point, and were only considered safe when they reached water +mark. The building was of brick. The offices were down stairs and +consisted of accountant's room, editor's office and reporters' room.[O] +The Savings' Bank on the corner of Princess and Canterbury Streets was a +building of singularly handsome proportions. It was built in the year +1859, by the St. John County Provident Society, which up to this time +had an office in the old Commercial Bank building. In 1872, the Dominion +Government took it off their hands, had it renovated thoroughly and +changed, and commenced operations in it in 1873, as a Dominion Savings' +Bank. The Assistant Receiver-General and Dominion Auditor had offices in +the bank. Matthew Stead was the architect. The old Post Office in this +street was leased a few months ago to The Paper Company, who had it +repaired and well furnished. In the upper story _The Watchman_ office +was located. Messrs. Bowes & Evans' large stove establishment, and John +Vassie & Co's wholesale dry goods house, entrance on Canterbury Street, +were greedily devoured. The little street suffered severely, for it +represented a very large sum of money. Two well-known institutions were +also burned here, Conroy's hair-dressing establishment and McGinley's +barber-shop. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +INSIDE THE SAVINGS BANK. + +Photo. by G. F. Simonson.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[O] The first steam press in the Maritime Provinces was started +in the _Morning News_ building, then situated directly on the south end +of what is now called Canterbury Street, but which was not then +opened. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Incidents--An Old Corner Burned Down--The Lenders and + Borrowers--"Twenty per Cent."--The Shylocks of the Curbstone-- + The Human Barometer--The Vultures of Commerce--Chubbs' Corner-- + The Old Commercial Bank--The _Telegraph_ Office--The Bank of New + Brunswick--A Hard Worked Cashier--The Post Office--Not a Mail + Lost--Quick Despatch--The Nethery House and the Orangemen--The + Royal Hotel--The Custom House--The Dead of the Conflagration. + + +Beyond all question the successful resistance to the flames at the +residence of James H. Moran, Esq., at Chipman's Hill, prevented the +spread of the fire to the northern portion of the city. That house was +attacked with great fury from front and rear, but the extraordinary and +well applied labours of Mr. Joseph Dunlop, and his crew of workmen from +the shipyard, aided by the city firemen, kept the flames at bay. The +window sashes caught several times, and the men finding neither timber +nor axes, boldly grasped the sashes with their naked hands, and despite +some severe burning to themselves, they succeeded in tearing them away. +This saved the building and stopped the spread of the flames along Union +Street and beyond it. Mr. Moran was at his summer residence in St. +Martin's during the conflagration, but on hearing of the calamity he +hastened home, and made the journey of 32 miles, it is said, in two +hours and forty-five minutes. While the fire was in Mill Street, a +bright little fellow of thirteen, named Johnny Law, performed an act of +considerable heroism and thoughtfulness. His employer, Mr. W. H. Gibbon, +had gone to Grand Lake about two days before the fire, and left his +establishment in charge of this boy, who had the forethought when he saw +the flames coming near the store to save the books and papers. The +flooring above his head fell while he was getting out, but by crawling +on his hands and knees, he managed to effect his release from a +captivity that would soon have resulted in certain death. Besides this +he saved a number of articles from the house, and saw to the successful +removal of Mrs. Gibbon and her young children. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +PRINCE WILLIAM STREET.] + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +PRINCE WILLIAM STREET. + +Photo. by G. F. Simonson.] + +There was great ruin in Prince William Street after the fire. A good +deal of the wealth of the city, and some of the chief buildings of the +place were situate here. The destruction of the Imperial Building +belonging to the Messrs. Magee, and which was occupied by them and +Messrs. Maclellan & Co., the bankers, was but the work of a few moments. +A large quantity of valuable merchandise likewise perished, and the +newly commenced block of buildings adjoining exhibited even a vaster +extent of ruin than it did on the night of the last great fire which +raged in this locality, and which cost the city seven lives.[P] Mr. +Robert Marshall's insurance office, on the corner of the Market Square, +and indeed the whole of Prince William Street, both sides clear to +Reed's Point, were reduced to ashes and debris. Jardine's grocery store, +Messrs. Wisdom & Fish's belting and heavy goods establishment, Benson's +millinery store, Steeves, Bros., J. & J. Hegan & Co's., Beard & Venning, +The Devebers, James R. Cameron & Co., W. H. Hayward & Co., George +Philp's banking house, and Chubb's book store on the one side, were as +completely wrecked as the row of stores on the eastern part of the +street which contained Barnes & Co's. book-store, Peiler's piano +warehouse, and Professor Devine's music store, the splendid book and +publishing establishment of Messrs. J. & A. McMillan, which was first +built in 1831, and was afterwards burned in one of the great fires which +succeeded that year, and, about 1842, was rebuilt in the shape in which +the fire found it the other day, the insurances offices of H. R. Ranney, +Lawton's drug store, Stevenson's shoe-shop, Valpey's, Sheraton & +Skinner's carpet warehouse, Simeon Jones & Co's., Eastern Express, +Francis', and Z. G. Gabel's corner store. + +Chubb's Corner--the home of the curb stone broker, and the place where +more gossip has been talked during the last forty years than would +furnish the stock-in-trade of forty well-organized sewing circles--was +an early victim, for it went down with Furlong's palace about the hour +of six. The mention of Chubb's Corner awakens a thousand memories. For +many years it enjoyed the distinction of being the great centre of +commercial speculation. Men came here to meet men who had money to lend, +and those who had none came to borrow it. Stocks and merchandise changed +hands on this spot a dozen times a day, and the cautious bill-broker +who never had any funds of his own to lend, came here to scent the +financial air. In this cheerful spot money was subject to the +fluctuations of the market with a vengeance. The rate--aye, there's the +rub--"if we can only agree about _that_," said the note-shaver, "I think +I may take the paper. 'The man is a good man,'" he continued, +unconsciously quoting Shakespeare, "and I think I may take his bond," +and though nothing was said about the pound of flesh in the event of the +notes not being paid at maturity, the modern Shylock meant it all the +same, and was as equally determined to get it, too, as the old gentleman +we see on the stage rubbing his hands together, and making horrible +faces at the audience and the Christian merchant Antonio. The rate in +this grim corner was not measured by the consciences of the +money-lenders, but by the necessities of the applicant. One could tell +in a much less expensive way than by borrowing money of these gentry, +whether they were getting a good price for their coin or not, by simply +watching their faces during the operation. The face of the note-shaver +is a barometer. It requires no regulating and it is always correct. +There, quick, watch it now. See how long the face is. No, he has no +money himself, but--Ah, that's it, now watch. See, observe the +countenance, listen to that chuckle? Yes, what is he chuckling about? +Oh, that's nothing, only habit; now the face is hanging up again, and it +is ready for observation. The lender is telling the borrower how +difficult it is to get money, and how much Smith had to pay for a thirty +days' loan yesterday. This is of no interest to Jones, who is hanging +on the words of Mr. Shylock as a lover drinks in the soft nothings of +his mistress, but it gives the lender opportunities to find out how +"hard up" his victim is. Now watch the face again. Still long and +bilious-looking. Twenty per cent. is not so high. It's only five dollars +off of a hundred, and look at the time three months--and it falls due on +Sunday, too. You'll get a day's interest out of me for nothing, you +rogue. The face is positively joyous. The eyes snap and sparkle. The +countenance has become quite round and full, and there are bright spots +on the cheeks. The extra day without interest did it, and the two go off +arm in arm. But after all they are not happy; one has paid too much, and +the other stands ready to kick himself for not having asked more. O, +Chubb's Corner, you have much to answer for, and perhaps the fire did +some good in staying this kind of business for a time at least on your +site. But the old corner was not given over entirely to the vultures of +commerce. It was the place for many years where property, stocks, +debentures, bonds, and all such securities were sold at Public Auction +as well as by private sale. The old Corner was a meeting place too, +where men met and talked over the times and their affairs. Men stopped +here on their way to the Post Office, the old Bank and the Custom House, +if it was not too late, to have a friendly chat with an acquaintance. +Office boys hurrying along in the leisurely hurry that office boys +always employ, stopped at Chubb's Corner and looked into the windows of +the Exchange office, and wondered to themselves if the huge pile of +money they saw lying about was good or not, and whether it would pass. +And so the days came and the days passed away, and year in and year out, +the old Corner still stood the centre of a busy hive. If those old walls +could speak now, as daily, men tramp over their fallen forms, what tales +could they tell, what stories of joy and sorrow might they not relate! +Walls have ears and they heard much, but they could not speak and what +they knew has perished with them. + +The building on the Corner was put up by Mr. Chubb, shortly after he was +burned out in 1839. The head of the old firm was Henry Chubb, Esq., +whose father landed with the Loyalists. He succeeded in 1811 the +business which had formerly been carried on by Mrs. Mott, wife of the +King's Printer, for whom Mr. Chubb conducted the work of the +establishment on the death of her husband. In 1842, Samuel Seeds was +admitted partner in the firm together with the eldest son of Mr. Chubb, +Henry J. Chubb. In 1846 the latter died and the surviving partners +continued the business until the spring of 1855, when Mr. Chubb died +leaving his share to Mr. Seeds and his two sons, Thos. Chubb and George +James Chubb. In 1863, Mr. Seeds retired and the brothers remained in +business until 1865, when G. J. Chubb bought out his brother's interest, +and the firm has continued under the old style of H. Chubb & Co., ever +since. An exchange office was added to the stationery and printing +business during the American War. + +The old Commercial Bank building which was lately completely altered +and renovated internally, was situate on the south-east corner of Prince +William and Princess Streets. The corner stone was laid in 1839, and a +grand Masonic demonstration took place, Rev. Dr. B. G. Gray officiating. +Henry Gilbert Esq., was the President of the Commercial Bank at the +time. It was used latterly for the civic offices, and the Water +Commissioners had an office on the ground flat. _The Daily Telegraph_ +newspaper occupied the old wooden building adjoining, and about which +notice is given in the first chapter of this history. Mr. Elder, the +enterprising editor and proprietor of the paper, is a heavy loser by the +fire. Not only did he lose his well-equipped printing office and +appliances, his splendid reference library and collection of historic +data, the gatherings of many years, but his bound fyles also, and in +fact everything he possessed vanished forever. + +The Bank of New Brunswick was for a long time deemed safe. It is true +that the merchants hurried in with their books when the fire was still +raging a quarter of a mile away, but the old building which was burned +inside, exhibited after the fire, walls and pillars as strong and +vigorous as they were half a century ago. The vaults preserved their +contents, and millions of money were thus plucked from the burning. The +old bank was an edifice in which the people took pride. It was a hale +old veteran that had passed through many a disaster. When financial +troubles darkened the days of the people, when the dread cholera spread +disease and death in households, when fires laid waste the best acres +of our territory, the old bank still stood erect, and withstood the +shock which threatened her on every side. It succumbed this time, but +only in a partial way, for its pillars and a portion of its walls are as +stalwart as of yore. In May, 1821, a general meeting was held of the +stockholders of the banking company that had been organized the year +before. At this meeting some honoured names were read, and the following +gentlemen were present: Henry Gilbert, Hon. John Robinson, Nehemiah +Merritt, Wm. Black, Ezekiel Barlow, Thos. Millidge, Ward Chipman, jr., +Zalmon Wheeler, Hugh Johnston, jr., Robert W. Crookshank, Robert Parker, +jr., Stephen Wiggins, and Hugh Johnston, senr. On the seventh day of May +the directors were chosen, and the bank was ready for business. The +first President was the Hon. John Robinson; and the other Directors for +the year were Wm. Black, Ezekiel Barlow, Lewis Bliss, Ward Chipman, jr., +Robert W. Crookshank, senr., Henry Gilbert, Hugh Johnston, Nehemiah +Merritt, Thos. Millidge, Robert Parker, jr., Zalmon Wheeler, and Stephen +Wiggins. Of these but one lives to-day, Lewis Bliss, Esq., who, at last +accounts was in London, England. The Hon. J. D. Lewin was made President +in 1857, and Wm. Girvan, Esq., whose great industry is proverbial, was +chosen cashier, March 1st, 1862. Mr. Girvan, on taking charge of his +office, at once went methodically over the old books, and in two years, +by dint of untiring application, he had the full set from 1820 in shape. +The books are in such excellent condition, and so well arranged, that +it is a pleasure to refer to them. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +RUINS OF BANK OF NEW BRUNSWICK. + +Photo. by G. F. Simonson.] + +The Bayard Building, containing Mr. G. Em. Allen's office, the +Attorney-General's office and others, with two stores underneath, and +the new Bank of Nova Scotia building, which formerly belonged to Messrs. +Andre D. Cushing & Co., were soon destroyed, together with Barnes' +Hotel, which, only a few years ago, had an extension added, and was +fitted up with every modern improvement. Stewart & White's large +furniture warehouse and auction rooms opposite, in Smith's building, +with their heavy stocks, were burned. + +[Illustration: NEW POST OFFICE.] + +The destruction of the new Post Office, one of the most beautiful +buildings in the city at the time of the fire, was one of the saddest +spectacles of the day. It had only been opened a year, and its handsome +design and rich finish had often been admired. The ornamental freestone +work on the front, and the rich red granite pillars, gave the edifice a +very fine appearance. The flames were twice extinguished by Mr. Parker +in the tower where they made the attack first at six o'clock, at the +place where the clock was to have been put. At three in the afternoon +the mail matter was carefully put away in bags, and every preparation +made for a speedy departure. The first load of mail bags was hauled to a +place of safety, to Reed's Point, and seventeen of them were carried by +hand to the fish-market wharf, where a boat was seized and sixteen of +the bags put in it. The doors of the Post Office were closed to the +public at five o'clock, and by half-past six the fire had made such an +onslaught that nothing could keep it away. Through the foresight of Mr. +J. V. Ellis, the Postmaster, not a mail was lost, or a letter mislaid. +The outgoing mails that night to the north and east, were despatched as +usual, and with excellent executive skill, the Post Master was ready in +a temporary office in the Market building, to deliver letters to +applicants in less than twenty-four hours after the fire. In twelve +hours after that the delivery system was in full working order, and in a +few days merchants had the pleasure of receiving their mails in boxes of +their own at the Post Office. The Registry Letter Office was ready for +work, under Mr. M. J. Potter's management in a little while, and the +opening of the Money Order Department's Office was not long in +following. The clerks and other employes of the Post Office deserve the +greatest credit for their promptness under a most trying situation, and +their uniform kindness and courtesy were preserved to the last. Mr. +Flaglor delivered the first and last letters at the Post Office, Prince +William Street. + +The old Nethery house in Church Street, where Mr. Geo. A. Knodell had +his printing office, and Mr. H. L. Spencer his medical warehouse, was +once the great headquarters of the Orangemen, and was built about the +year 1823. It was in this building that in old times balls and parties, +and dinners in connection with the order were given, and it was from +here that on the famous twelfth of July, when Duncan Wilmot was Mayor, +the Orangemen marched at the time of the memorable riot. Mr. Knodell +has begun rebuilding on this site. + +The Royal Hotel in Prince William Street, formerly Stubbs' Hotel, and +for many years a leading house in the city, caught fire early in the +afternoon from the sparks. The inhabitants apprehended no danger and the +sparks were put out, but Mr. Waldron, Stage Manager of the Theatre, came +to the conclusion that as it had taken fire once, it might soon again be +stricken. He accordingly warned the others and proceeded to get his +things together for a final exit. The Hotel did catch about an hour and +a half after this, and all on the ground save the old tree to the left, +were in ashes before night. Mr. Thomas F. Raymond succeeded Mr. McIntosh +in the management of Stubbs' Hotel, and it was by him changed to the +name of "The Royal." A great many public dinners and balls have been +given in this house, and its spacious dining room for many years was +considered one of the finest ball-rooms in the city. The last great ball +given here was in 1871, in March, by St. Andrew's Society, on the +occasion of the marriage of the Marquis of Lorne to the Princess Louise. + +A large amount of property that had been stored away for safe keeping in +the Custom House, was burned when that fine building went down. Hundreds +of people believing strongly in stone and brick, sought refuge for their +chattels here, and almost all available space was occupied with goods of +every description. The merest trifles were saved after the building took +fire, and an immense amount of material was consumed. Even Robert +Shives' collection of diaries that dated back many years was lost, as +well as a considerable number of his papers in connection with the +emigration office of which he was the agent. Mr. Shives was suffering +from illness during the fire and was too weak to be about much. Several +merchants who had sent their account books to the Custom House for +safety lost them in the great destruction which followed. The building +was a good strong substantial structure built about the year 1841, by +the late John Walker, Esq., and designed by him as a government +warehouse.[Q] He did not succeed however, in having it accepted as such +by the government, and it was purchased by Mr. McLeod, of St. John, and +Alexander Keith, Esq., of Halifax, and used as the Custom House. The +Government of Canada bought it from George McLeod, Esq., M. P. some +months ago. It was roomy and well adapted for customs purposes. When the +Dominion Government took it off Mr. McLeod's hands they refitted it up +completely. The storm drum and time ball and signal station were situate +on the Custom House. + +[Illustration: The Burland Desbarats Lith. Co. Montreal + +RUINS OF CUSTOM HOUSE FROM NORTH END AND EAST SIDE. + +Photo. by G. F. Simonson.] + +The International Hotel was formerly a double residence with the +entrance on the second story. About twenty years ago it was enlarged and +converted into an hotel under the management of Mr. A. B. Barnes, who +called the house after its owner--The Lawrence Hotel. Mr. Barnes left +it some years ago and removed to his own premises nearer King Street, +and Mr. R. S. Hyke, after it was modernized a little, assumed the +management. + +The fire in Water Street proved to be very destructive. Tisdale's +corner, at the head of South wharf, and the home of the hardware +business in St. John for many years; the grocery establishments of C. M. +Bostwick and Geo. Robertson; John Melick's office, the ferry floats and +waiting-room, as well as Adam Young's large stove warehouse and the +Messrs. McCarty's place of business, were soon carried away. The good +old house of Robt. Robertson & Son, that for half a century wielded +great influence in the community, and whose ships to-day ride many +oceans, with its stock of sails and rigging, lasted scarcely longer in +the terrible heat than an hour's space. Walker's wharf and the premises +in Ward street suffered greatly, and it was while trying to save his +property here, that Captain William M. B. Firth lost his life. He was +last seen in Prince William Street, blinded by the smoke and scorched by +the flames, trying to make his way out. It is thought that finding all +hope of gaining an egress from the suffocating street, he sank down in +the roadside exhausted and weary, and death came to him there. His body +was found the next day, but it was not until Saturday that he was fully +recognised and claimed. He leaves a sorrowing wife and five +grief-stricken children, who spent the terrible days of his absence in +the greatest agony. There were many rumours about Capt. Firth while he +was missing. Some said that he was all right in Carleton, others +averred that he had gone away in a ship, while others again stoutly +maintained that they had seen him put out to sea in a boat and that he +would turn up all right. But when these tidings reached his poor wife, +she always turned with a sad smile of gratefulness to those who brought +her such news, in the hope that it might cheer her up, and said that her +heart told her better. Her husband's place was by her side, and he knew +it as well as she. What would he be doing out in a boat so long, when he +did not even know whether his wife and family were alive or not; no, she +never believed the rumours which came to her, thick and fast, as the +hours of those anxious days went by; and when the dread news came at +length, the widowed mother and her fatherless children had known it in +their hearts long before. + +Another terrible death was that of Mr. Samuel Corbitt, a gentleman +esteemed and respected for his many good qualities, by all who knew him. +He was a furniture dealer, and his store was in Prince William Street. A +gentleman exchanged a few words with him while the fire was in full +career. Mr. Corbitt went into his own building, to get some things and +he never came back. The greatest sympathy is felt in the community for +Mrs. Corbitt and family. + +An old resident of the city, Mr. Joseph Bell--a painter, lived in Duke +Street, where he kept his shop. On the night of the fire he went in to +remove a painting it is said, but when he turned to come out he could +not pass the flames, and he too perished, and was buried in the ruins +of his old home. A man named Johnson is still missing, and it is +probable he lost his life in the fire. Mrs. Coughlan, Timothy O'Leary, +Michael Donohoe, and Mrs. Fitzgerald, are also supposed to have lost +their lives in the same sad way, and as many are still missing, the loss +of life, it is expected, will be quite large. The heavy buildings came +down with such rapidity after they became hot, that it is feared that a +good many people were buried in the ruins, and the intense heat which +followed would render them never again recognisable, even if a portion +of the remains were found. + +An incident has come to hand which deserves more than a passing notice. +Young Johnny Murphy, a mere child, who lived with his mother in +Charlotte Street, bravely jumped from the second-storey window of his +residence with his younger brother in his arms. The act was that of a +hero, and worthy the admiration and applause of thousands. Such bravery +and heroism should indeed be rewarded. The little fellow wears his +honors meekly. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[P] March 8th, 1877. + +[Q] It had a three story granite front on Prince William Street +250 feet long, by 92 feet deep towards Water Street, which face was +built of brick four stories high. It cost Mr. Walker $120,000. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + The Old House on the Hill--A Wily Commissary--The Bags of + Gold--What was done at Midnight--The Dead of Night Deposit--The + Old Vault--A Timid Money-Lender--Mr. Peter Johnson--The Board of + Commissioners--The Old Gentleman's Little Joke--The Inspection-- + How it was Discovered--The Fight with the Flames--"How much will + I Get?"--What he Got--The Oil Barrels--Dashing the Water on the + Kerosene--A Lively time on Reed's Point Wharf--The Bridge of + Fire--On the Ferry-Boat--The Western Union Telegraph Office--The + First Dispatch. + + +The fire in that portion of Princess Street, from Prince William street +to Charlotte Street, was a great leveller, and destroyed a number of +useful buildings as well as a few very excellent ones. The Wiggin's +building on Rocky Hill, north side, which was erected about twenty years +ago found a fate which was common enough that day. The destruction of +Ritchie's building, though not expected by some, followed soon after. It +was admirably built, and the large number of division walls which it +had, rendered it almost invincible against any element however strong. +Look at it to-day after the fire has done its worst, and there is much +of it standing that can be utilized again. Its splendid supports are +ready for duty, and though the structure was on fire for seven hours and +subjected to great heat, the walls show that they could stand a good +deal of such endurance yet, and not crumble. The site on which this +edifice was erected, has in common with some others which have been +mentioned in the course of our story, a history of its own. A frame +building many years ago, before Rocky Hill was cut down, was built here +by Dr. Thomas Paddock, who afterwards disposed of it to Price, the +Commissary, who subsequently sold it to the Government. The house was +used as the Commissariat for a number of years. About 1823 or 1824 a +good deal of excitement was created by the arrest of Mr. Price who was +charged with defalcation in his accounts. He was closely guarded, and +after a court of enquiry was held, he was confined for a time and +finally allowed to depart. The story goes, and there are many who +remember it perfectly, that a wealthy gentleman knowing that Price lived +too fast, and had become involved, had offered to lend him the bags of +money which would make good his position when the commissioners came to +examine his accounts. It was proposed that they be sent over and +deposited in the house, and after the examiners were satisfied and had +left the city, the bags of coin would be conveyed back again to the +owner. This was satisfactory, and Price thanked his good friend. In +those days commissioners did not move as rapidly as they do now, and the +board did not arrive for a few days. In the meantime, the money was in +Price's possession, and he slept at night the peaceful sleep of the +innocent and just. But delays are ever dangerous, and Mr. Price's friend +was the timidest of the most timid men. He had no sooner sent his bags +of gold out, when he began to ruminate. What if the commissioners +decided to take the money with them and deposit it somewhere else? What +if the thing leaked out and his friend Price got dismissed, and he lost +his money? It worried him, and though Price slept, the money-lender did +not. He began to grow more and more anxious. Every day he grew worse, +until at last just as the commissioners had arrived and Mr. Price was +getting ready to show them around in the morning, and give them his +papers to examine, and show them the money, the friend acted on the +thought which was burning his heart out, and he sent for Peter Johnson. +Now Mr. Johnson, who figures in our narrative, for the first time was a +negro, and he it was, who, in the dead of night when all was still, +wheeled the mysterious bags of bullion to and from the old vaults in the +Commissariat. The money-lender sent for Peter Johnson and told him that +he had altered his mind, and that the bags and their contents must be +home again that very night. Peter proceeded at once, and stealthily +approaching the vaults, opened the heavy doors with his key, got out the +money, and wheeled it home again, and Mr. Commissary Price slept on in +babe-like innocence. And so did his friend. And so did Mr. Peter +Johnson. And so did the Board of Commissioners. In the morning, Mr. +Price rubbed his hands and dressed himself with scrupulous propriety, +that he might meet his masters in a becoming manner. And the Board of +Commissioners got ready too, and they drove round to Mr. Price's in a +body, and before entering on their duties there was much merriment among +them, and one facetious old gentleman who was always joking and saying +good things, you know, remarked to the others in his delicious way, that +almost every man had a price, but none had a Price like their's, and +then he chuckled and slapped Price on the back, and Price chuckled, and +the Board chuckled, and I have no doubt whatever but that Mr. Peter +Johnson and his master would have chuckled too had they heard it. And +then the party went down to the office and began to overhaul things, and +everything was all right, and the books were found correct. And then a +stupid old member of the Board asked to have the money brought in to be +counted, just to comply with the regulation, not that they doubted +friend Price. "O, no, but an absurd form demanded it," &c., &c. And Mr. +Price was affable and kindly, and said, "O yes, gentlemen, I shall be +quite happy to show you the funds which are all safe in the vault, I +assure you. Saw them myself no later than the other day," &c., &c. And +everyone said that was all right, and the iron doors were unlocked and +swung back! But where was the money? Mr. Price was as pale as death, and +turned to the astonished commission, when he said, "Come, gentlemen, now +a joke is a joke, what have you done with the money?" But Mr. Price +discovered before long that the world was not quite a smile, and he was +marched off to prison, and the facetious old gentleman said to the +gentleman who only wanted the money produced to gratify an absurd whim +of the Government, "Who would have believed it?" And so the Inspectors +walked out, behind Mr. Price, who was placed in durance vile and +suffered as we have seen. + +In 1843 Mr. Oliver Goldsmith, a descendant of the family of the poet, +and a gentleman who wrote poetry too, occasionally, and whose "Rising +Village," a companion piece to "The Deserted Village," was not without +some slight merit, called on Judge Ritchie and told him that he had +received orders from the Government asking for tenders for the old +building on Rocky Hill, and he suggested that he had better tender for +it. The judge did so, and to his great astonishment, his was the only +tender sent, and he got the whole of the property, including the house +and a stone barn which were on it, for L500 sterling, three months after +his tender was accepted. He immediately rented it to Dr. Simon Fitch, +who was beginning practice and who occupied it for a number of years. It +was idle for a while after Dr. Fitch left it, and then Judge Ritchie had +it altered and modernized, and he and Mr. L. J. Almon lived in it. It +was still located high up on the rock. The judge, whose taste for +architecture is well known, often planned the style of building he would +like to put up. In the evenings after reading a while it was no uncommon +thing for him to draw near to a table, and with pencil and paper plan +buildings of infinite variety. It was good employment for the mind, and +less expensive than actual building, and the paper houses could be +altered and improved and altered again at very little cost. One day the +judge planned in earnest, and his ideas took practical shape. He pulled +down the high house, excavated the rock and proceeded to build. In 1853 +he began work and by the month of February, 1854, his building was +pretty well up. He had expended some five thousand pounds on it, and was +about leaving for Fredericton when Mr. L. J. Almon came in and remarked +to him that after he was in Fredericton a week or so he would feel +rather foolish to get word that his building was burned down, and that +there was no insurance on it. This troubled the judge, and he began to +feel quite uncomfortable. He told Mr. Almon to lose no time but go at +once and effect insurance. Mr. Almon put L5,000 on the unfinished +edifice. The judge went to the capital, sat in the Assembly, and in a +few days received intelligence that his building had been burned to the +ground. He returned to St. John at once and began to rebuild. This time +he proceeded with great care, and the chaste and handsome building +destroyed the other day was the result. The first occupants of the +offices were W. H. Tuck, Duff & Almon, Chas. Watters, Geo. Blatch, +Wetmore & Peters, E. B. Peters, St. John Insurance Co., the Electric +Telegraph Co., D. S. Kerr, Chamber of Commerce, Thos. T. Hanford, the +Masonic body and some others. The stores below were not rented for some +time after the building was ready. + +The Society of Free and Accepted Masons, after leaving the Old St. John +Hotel, met for some years in the upper story of the residence of the +late Mr. Marshall, father of Mr. John R. Marshall, Chief of Police. This +house was on the corner of Princess and Sydney Streets. When Judge +Ritchie's building was finished, the Masons rented about half of the top +story, and had it finished and furnished for masonic purposes. They have +occupied these apartments ever since. Up to January, 1868, the various +lodges in the city held their warrants from either of the Grand Lodges +of England, Scotland, or Ireland. In the Province there were twenty-six +lodges, viz: twenty English, three Irish, and three Scotch. When +Confederation came to pass, it was deemed imperative by the leading +masons of the Province to separate from their respective parent Grand +Lodges in the mother country, and form a new Grand Lodge of their own +for New Brunswick. This conclusion was reached only after mature +reflection, and when it was found that the great political changes which +had taken place in the country rendered it necessary. Three Grand Lodges +were already represented in the Province. The Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia +was working, and the Grand Lodge of Canada would be formed soon. Unless +the craft established a Grand Lodge in and for the Province of New +Brunswick, the exercise of masonic jurisdiction by so many governing +authorities would only tend to hopeless confusion and detriment to the +Order. It was a thing which could not be helped. Either an Independent +Grand Lodge of New Brunswick must be formed, or a general Grand Lodge of +Canada would be created, which would have entire jurisdiction all over +Canada. At a preliminary convention of masters, past-masters and +wardens, the subject was fully ventilated, and the motion to form a +Grand Lodge of New Brunswick was carried by a large majority. The office +of Grand Master of the new Grand Lodge, was first offered to R. T. +Clinch, Esq., who was then District Grand Master, under the Grand Master +of the Grand Lodge of England, but he declined the honour on account of +the position which he held. Benjamin Lester Peters, Esq., was then +elected Grand Master by acclamation; William Wedderburn, Esq., Deputy +Grand Master; Hon. W. P. Flewelling, Senior Grand Warden; David Brown, +Junior Grand Warden; Rev. W. Donald, D.D., Grand Chaplain, and Wm. H. A. +Keans, Esq., Grand Treasurer; Mr. W. F. Bunting was made Grand Secretary +at the meeting in January, 1868, and the following officers were +appointed: John Richards, Senior Grand Deacon; Benjamin R. Stevenson, +Junior Grand Deacon; John V. Ellis, Grand Director of Ceremonies; Robert +Marshall, Assistant ditto; Jas. McDougall, Grand Sword Bearer; John +Mullin, Grand Standard Bearer; Henry Card, Grand Organist; James Mullin, +Grand Pursuivant; Edward Willis, S. S. Littlehale, Robt. R. Call, Hugh +A. Mackenzie, Thos. F. Gillespie, John Wallace, Grand Stewards, and John +Boyer, Grand Tyler. Grand Lodge was instituted in January, in the year +of masonry, 5868. The craft has made great progress, and preparations +before the fire were on foot for the erection of a fine new hall in +Germain Street. The greater portion of the stock was subscribed, and +operations were to be begun at an early day. The brethren lost heavily +by the recent fire. All the warrants were destroyed, but these can be +replaced. The private lodges met in several instances with irreparable +losses, and the full set of jewels, which Bro. Oliver Goldsmith several +years ago presented to Albion Lodge, No. 1, was not the least of these. + +In the summer of 1863, the St. John Gymnasium (joint stock) Company +began building the Gymnasium, which was located opposite St. John's +Presbyterian Church, King Street East. Its dimensions were 40 x 100, +three stories front, and the Gymnasium proper was 40 x 80. The cost was +a little over $5,000. The building was heated by steam, well lighted +with gas, and neatly and tastily arranged, containing bath-rooms, +parlours, drawing-rooms, &c. The first president was John W. Cudlip, +Esq. Mr. J. S. Knowles was secretary, and Fred. A. Jones, the lessee and +manager. Mr. M. W. Maher was the builder. A few years ago, the building +was sold to Carson Flood, Esq., dealer in piano-fortes, and was by him +converted into a commodious hall, suitable for dancing parties, +tea-meetings, &c. The Gymnasium caught from the rear of the water-works, +and was soon a heap of ashes. The _Globe_ office in the Globe Building, +Prince William Street, was burning about the same time as the Bank of +New Brunswick, and the proprietors did not save even their fyles. + +The fight with the flames on Reed's Point Wharf, which lasted from three +o'clock in the afternoon until late the next morning, was one of the +most dreadful encounters of the day. A prominent medical man of the +city, who lost the house which he had considered fireproof, was hurrying +away, when he found his services no longer needful, to a place of +safety. All means of exit from the fire were cut off, except one--the +route towards Reed's Point. He hastened in that direction, for he saw in +a moment that soon that avenue would be closed against him. He fled down +Germain Street to St. James's Street, thence along the latter till he +reached the wharf. There he saw an immense crowd of refugees from the +district round about, numbering fully fifteen hundred persons. The men +were very disorderly, and the liquor they had taken was showing its +effect. There was fighting, and quarrelling and swearing. The roughest +element of the city was here. A long row of barrels containing kerosene +oil or petroleum lay upon the wharf, and the sparks from burning +buildings near by came whirling along in dangerous proximity to the +barrels. The danger was growing more and more near. Should these barrels +ignite and explode, a hundred lives at least must perish. No time must +be lost. Water must be carried up to the barrels and the fire kept off. +An attempt was made to roll some of them over the wharf into the +harbour, but they were too heavy, and the fire was leaping in great +strides towards them. The doctor shouted himself hoarse trying to induce +the crowd to help him, but he was answered with either a be-sotted stare +or a vulgar oath. He kept on running to the water, filling his pail, and +dashing it on the barrels till his arms ached. Once he got a response +from some rough men on the wharf, and a bargain was made with three of +them. He offered them all the money he had--three dollars,--if they +would come and help keep the fire away from the deadly oil. But the +assistance was of short duration, and after working for about twenty +minutes the fellows gave up, and would work no more. Still, nothing +daunted, the doctor toiled on. He had all the women put on board the +International Line steamer, through the kindness of Captain Chisholm, +who was busily employed on the other end of the wharf in beating back +the flames which were massing there, and then with a will he continued +his self-imposed labour. None but he seemed to realize their danger. +Maddened by drink and worry, and perhaps driven to desperation by the +havoc the fire was making, they did not appear to take in the deadly +peril in which every one on that wharf stood. The crowd stood about +idling away, smoking, drinking, talking, jeering, and quarrelling. A +lithe young fellow of twenty sat dangling his legs over the wharf and +smoking a cigar, when the doctor called on him to come down and give him +a hand. He returned a careless reply, and in a sneering tone asked how +much he would get if he gave his help. The doctor grew maddened at this, +and turning on him in a moment, cried out, "I am an old man; I have lost +all that I was worth, and have nothing left. I have been watching you +for an hour, doing nothing while I was working; and as you won't come +for asking, I'll make you come down here and carry water if I have to +drag you to the very water's edge." So, saying he pulled the young man +down, grasped him by the neck, ran him to the water, and giving him a +pail set him to work filling it while he carried it to the barrels +himself. The lesson was a salutary one, and the unwilling assistant will +probably never forget it. He had some manhood left in him after all +though, for he worked well and hard, and after a time he apologized to +the doctor and said he was sorry for having spoken as he did. It was +some hours after this episode, that the doctor hailed a passing +tug-boat, and the captain learning what was wanted, ran his little +steamer alongside the wharf and got ready his hose. In a few minutes the +wharf was deluged with water and the great danger was averted. It was +this hose and the well directed efforts of the doctor which saved the +wharf and the lives of many people. It is a matter of regret that the +name of the captain of the tug could not be got as he deserves well of +the country, and should make himself known that he may receive something +more tangible than thanks. Hemmed in by the streets of flame to the +right and left of them and directly in their front, from fifteen hundred +to two thousand persons were imprisoned on the wharf from three o'clock +in the afternoon till four the next morning, when the fire had gone +down, and one of the loveliest mornings of the year dawned on the +stricken city. + +One of the prettiest sights was to be seen from the head of King Street, +looking down in the direction of the market slip. When the schooners +therein had caught, the flames mounted the masts and communicating with +one another formed a complete bridge of fire from the north wharf to the +south. It was like a gala-day celebration of fire-works on a large +scale. + + + LIST OF VESSELS TOTALLY BURNED. + + + SCHOONERS. + + 1. Schooner "Angie Russell"; 25 tons; Boylan; Canning, N.S., was + discharging cargo of fish; owned by Captain. + + 2. Schooner "Brill"; 74 tons; St. John, N.B., had discharged part + of cargo and was going to Fredericton with balance; owned by + McSherry's Insolvent Estate. + + 3. Schooner "Brilliant"; 18 tons; Patch; Campobello; light cargo. + + 4. Schooner "Bear River"; 37 tons; Winchester; Bear River, N.S., + outward bound with cargo; owned by Captain. + + 5. Schooner "Ella P."; 23 tons; Thurber; Barrington, N.S., fish. + + 6. Schooner "Eliza Jane"; 27 tons; Bent; Bayshore, N.S.; salt. + + 7. Schooner "L. L. Wadsworth"; 12 tons; Brown; Westport, N.S.; + owned by Captain; fish. + + 8. Schooner "Lily"; 8 tons; Israel; Weymouth, N.S.; outward bound; + owned by Captain. + + 9. Schooner "Martha Rowan"; 25 tons; Peters; Westport, N.S.; fish. + + 10. Schooner "Parrot"; 27 tons; Hutton; St. George, N.B.; owned by + Captain. + + 11. Schooner "Star"; 13 tons; Benson; Westport; fish. + + + WOOD-BOATS. + + "Burnett," 46 tons, Captain Reed; "Linda," 26 tons; "President," 46 + tons, Captain Orchard; and "Messenger," 33 tons. + + Four lime scows laden with lime, two owned by Mr. Raynes, of + Fairville; two owned by Mr. Joseph Armstrong, of Greenhead. + + + CASUALTIES. + + Schooner "Justice," Westport, hauled out of slip badly burned. + + Schooner "George Calhoun," lying in Walker's slip, mainmast burned, + hauled out without further damage. + +On board the ferry-boat between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, +the appearance of the city burning in four places at once, was a grand +as well as an awful sight. The passengers gathered together and wore +very anxious looks, when it seemed for a time to be the intention of +the captain not to land. The houses and stores of many who were on board +were in danger, and all wanted to be at the fire. From the water it +appeared to be levelling houses to the ground at the rate of one a +minute, and the frightful ratio seemed never to slacken its speed. The +ships lying near the wharves moved out into the harbour, and some sailed +far down the bay. The path of the ferry-boat was crossed more than once +by vessels which had succeeded in getting away in safety, and collisions +now and then were threatened; but fortunately none occurred. At length, +to the relief of all on board, the boat succeeded in getting safely to +her landing-place, and a grand rush was made up the floats for the head +of Princess Street. + +Perhaps one of the best and first specimens of enterprise which occurred +on the night of the fire was that which was displayed by the chief +officers of the Western Union Telegraph Company. The office was burned +down, and only the books and some of the instruments were saved. The +Fairville wire would not work, and no means of sending abroad +intelligence of the ruin of the doomed city remained. It was fully +eleven o'clock when R. T. Clinch, Esq., the superintendent of the +company, Mr. Thos. Robinson, the manager, Mr. Dawson, Mr. Black and +other gentlemen connected with the company, met the writer of these +pages on Germain Street. The fire was still raging, though not at all +fiercely in the lower part of the city. The party went down to the +railway station, and we give an illustration of the building so that +the reader may see the temporary Western Union Telegraph Office during +the first few days of the fire, and after a little while a wire was put +in working order. The first and only dispatch which left the city that +night, and which on Thursday morning was read all over Canada, and in +the United States, was sent forward, and each page was telegraphed as +rapidly as it was written. In the morning the office was ready to +receive and deliver messages, and those who stood by the counter, and +every day watched the enormous crowd of people all anxious to be served +first, can realize how hard the operators had to work in order to meet +the requirements of the citizens. At one time there were between five +and six hundred messages on the operator's table, and the sender might +consider himself fortunate if his telegram got off three hours after it +was written. Some miscreants in some instances cut the wires a few days +after the fire, and the company had to send out twenty-five or thirty +patrol men to look after them. Mr. Clinch lost no time in getting +suitable quarters for the patrons of the company, and in a week he had a +comfortable office, working finely, in the Market House. He began work +at once on the new building which the company intend putting up, and in +six months the new telegraph office will be ready for occupancy on its +old site at the foot of King Street. + +[Illustration: THE TEMPORARY W. U. TEL. OFFICE.] + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + A Thrilling Incident--The Burning House--The Tall Figure in the + Hall--Escape cut off--The only Way Out--The Street of Fire-- + Walking on Coals--The Open Boat--The way to the Wharf--Terrible + Suffering--The Awful Death in the Street--Worn Out--The Escape + --Saved--The Firemen--How they Fought the Flames. + + +In olden times men who had performed deeds of bravery on the +battle-field were canonized as saints, and those who had shown daring in +other ways were revered as gods. There is a fascination about the +stories which come down to us through the long centuries of time, and +from the middle ages, and we are accustomed, almost from the cradle, to +revere the names of the great ones who have filled the world with the +splendour of their exploits in the defence of cities and the protection +of fair ladies. In the nursery we learn to lisp the names of stalwart +knights and doughty warriors, and the great deeds which they performed, +ages and ages ago, live again in the memory of all mankind. And it is +well that it should be so. It is well that the splendid actions of the +world's great men should be remembered for all time. Who is there who +does not feel the blood mantling his cheek when he thinks of a Clive and +of a Marlborough? Who can think of a Napier and a Wellington, and not +experience for a time a thousand emotions coursing and careering madly +through his breast? And Robert Bruce on his little palfrey giving battle +to the last of one of England's proudest and sternest knights, in full +view of Stirling Castle, the day before the great battle was fought, is +a story which every Scottish lad is taught before he is old enough to +read. And the lives of such men as Bonaparte, Turenne, Wolfe, the Great +Frederic, Von Moltke, and a hundred others, are undying records in the +histories of nations, the memory of whose deeds shall last when time +shall be no more. + +In a young country like ours, whose territory has not often felt the +hostile tread of invading armies, and whose broad acres are almost +wholly unstained with the blood of battles, the heroes we have developed +have earned their reputation in another and nobler way. Halifax has had +her England, whose name will be remembered as long as ships sail the +seas; and in St. John, we have long learned to bless the name of a hero +in humble life, honest Tom Sloven. And now from the ashes of the fire +two names arise, which in after years, when their owners shall have +passed away, will live in the hearts of the people, and leave there an +imperishable record. We applaud success, and oftentimes let honest +effort and endeavour go unrewarded. We worship the rising sun, and when +a man works hard to achieve a certain success and fails, we are apt to +pass him by. And though the object, in the instance which we are about +to relate, was not successful in the end, let us never forget the deed +which was attempted at the imminent risk of the lives of the chief +actors. When the story of the fire is told at firesides in the years to +come, generations now unborn will listen with blanched cheeks and +curdling blood, to the great incident in the conflagration, when a +woman perished by the roadside, and two men escaped a dreadful death. + +Mr. John E. Turnbull's sash factory, in Main Street, despite all +exertions, caught so quickly that the workmen narrowly escaped from the +ruins with their lives. Mr. Turnbull crossed the street to his +residence, which, like many others on that eventful day, he considered +impregnable. He had worked long at the factory, and had stored in his +house a large quantity of belting and tools of his workshop. He had +carefully gathered up everything of an inflammable character, and had +swept the yard clean, so that nothing could ignite and spread around the +fire, that but too readily devoured everything in its way. A vigorous +defence was inaugurated to save the house. Mr. Turnbull had good +assistants. His sons were there, working like beavers, and Mr. Walker +Frink in his department, stayed the flames for a long time. The +neighbours, believing like Mr. Turnbull, that nothing could harm this +house, had piled large quantities of furniture against its front, these +were lying before the windows of the cellar, and after a while took +fire. Mrs. Turnbull fearing that the house might after all be burned, +and at the request of her husband, made her escape by the back window, +and had to be lifted over the fence. It was well that she did go, for in +a few moments the house was threatened from a dozen quarters. The fence +in the rear was crackling, and Mr. Turnbull went down into the cellar +and began to shove off the blazing furniture from the windows. He worked +away at this for some time, never dreaming that the fire was so near +him, or that escape would soon be cut off. He had lost his hearing some +years before, and did not hear the roar of the fire nor feel its +approach. His son James was up-stairs battling with the fire, and Mr. +Frink was on the roof. James Turnbull, realizing in an instant the +condition of his father and his infirmity, and knowing well the +determined character of his nature, was about to rush into the cellar +and tell him how near the fire was, when he turned and beheld a dark +shadow in the doorway. It was coming towards him, and for a moment +struck terror into his soul. The tall figure of a woman, deeply robed in +black, holding up a long train in her hand, and with head-dress all +aflame, stood before him in the hall. He advanced towards her, as soon +as he could recover himself, and at once tore off the burning head-dress +and stamped it with his foot. He then brushed the kindling sparks from +her dress. She seemed demented and unable to understand the nature of +these proceedings. Indeed she remonstrated with him, and begged him not +to destroy her bonnet. _The fire had crazed her brain_, and after +escaping from her house she had wandered into Mr. Turnbull's blazing +residence, unheedful of the terrible burns she had received, and +notwithstanding that she was on fire herself in several places. James, +realizing the state of affairs at once, coaxed her to go with him to the +cellar to see his father, but she hung back and implored him to leave +her there. He was forced to drag her unwillingly along, and together +they both arrived at the place where the father was still labouring to +extinguish the fire that was coming from all sides. He knew nothing of +the great headway that had been made upstairs, and had not even begun to +realize the danger of his situation below. As soon as he saw the lady he +told his son to go and fetch a mat and throw it over her, and he would +be with them in a few minutes. This was done, but as often as this mat +was wrapped around her, it was thrown off again. Some moments passed, +and Mr. Turnbull finding that he could do no more, resolved to leave the +house. He and his son and the lady went upstairs where a sight that +would have appalled a heart of stone met his eyes. All hope of escape +through the alley in the rear was cut off. The house was on fire in the +back. The flames were melting the roof in a dozen places. On either side +the blaze was at its height, and not a moment was to be lost. Escape lay +in one direction only, and that was hazardous in the extreme. _They must +face the fire and escape by the front door_, or perish where they stood. +The position they were in was trying, but fortunately for them their +nerves were strong, and they were cool and collected. And now they began +preparing for the struggle. The warrior formerly buckled on his armour +of steel before venturing on the fray, but the armour of the +fire-fighters consisted of old coats and wet clothes. A coat was +fastened around the lady, who was still unknown to Mr. Turnbull, and her +head was covered. His son James enveloped in the same way, stood by her +side. Mr. Turnbull tied a wet handkerchief across his mouth, and after +putting a coat over his head, they began the memorable race for life. +James seized the lady, lifted her on his shoulders and followed his +father out of the door. She was heavy, very tall, and had passed in age +the allotted three score and ten. In addition to this, she was unwilling +to leave the house, and twice she had to be dragged away by main force +from the sofa. In no instance did she seem to comprehend what was being +done or how great her peril was. She was more concerned about her +parasol and head-dress than she appeared to be about her own personal +safety. James seemed endowed with superior strength, and he seized his +burden with a sort of death grip from which despite her struggles, she +could not escape. She afterwards became calmer, and while she made no +attempt to get off his back, he had her full dead weight to carry. The +three stepped into the street and walked into the furnace. The heat was +intense, and holding down their heads they hurried along. They ran over +blazing coals, and hands and feet burned to the very bone. They had not +proceeded twenty-five yards from the house, which was situate near the +corner of Main and Sydney Streets when they came upon a boat, thirty +feet long, which was lying directly across their path on its side. They +could not pass by the inside and had to go around by the bow. They were +hastening along to Charlotte Street, and intended going down that street +to the Ballast Wharf, and when the worst came the intention was to leap +into the sea. But the lady grew very violent just as the boat was passed +a few feet, and refused to go any further. She straightened herself up, +and slipping from James's shoulders, fell prone upon the ground. In +vain she was reasoned with, in vain she was asked to make an effort, in +vain she was appealed to, she would not move, but lay on her back +helplessly, saying, "O leave me alone, leave me here, I'm very, very +comfortable." The great fire, like a whirlwind, brushed against the +exposed flesh of the three human beings, and wore it to the bone. It was +like some invisible fiend. Before them they saw no flames, but a dead +white heat that was all the more terrible because it could not be seen. +Every time the covering was removed from their heads as they sought to +look out and see where they were going, this intense, imperceptible heat +burned their very eyeballs. The trees alongside were grasped by this +unseen power, and their trunks were twisted and turned in its cobra-like +embrace. Every thing in the road seemed charged with an element that +appeared to draw the flames on. Though Main Street is one hundred and +five feet wide, and the fire was for the most part confined to the +houses on the side of the road, a cat could not run the gauntlet that +night, and live. No one can realize the awful power of the heat, which +the Messrs. Turnbull and the lady they were striving to save experienced +on that thrilling march through the melting valley, without having +passed through a similar experience. It was a trial that can never be +blotted from their memories. + +So much time was lost in trying to induce their charge to continue on +with them, that their chance of escape by Charlotte Street was cut off, +and the only hope that remained now, was to return by the terrible +route they had come. The battle had to be fought over again. The race +back had to be run once more. The boat must be crossed again, they must +go nearly two blocks forward, or die in their tracks. The street was +full of smoke now, and flying embers alighted on their shoulders and +burned their clothes, and the wild heat and the scorching flames were +madly tearing through to their faces. Their charge remained as helpless +as before, and there was something pitiable in her beseeching cries, +that almost tempted them to accede to her request and leave her there in +the street. But not a moment must now be lost, the fire-king was +trampling down all before him. The two men seized her. She struggled and +would not move. They dragged her to the boat, and she fell from their +now powerless arms. Weakened by the fire, and sick at heart at their ill +success, they could do no more, and could scarcely resist themselves the +desire to stay there by the upturned boat, and yield their lives back to +Him who gave them. The old lady fell back, and died with a smile upon +her lips. The men, too weak to carry her further, placed her close by +the boat, and shouted loudly for help. But the streets were bare of +people, and no sound could be heard but their own voices rising above +the crackling of the flames. They ran over the lava-like street, +stopping every now and then to catch breath. On, on they sped, the +youthful spirit of the one being roused when it lagged, by the inspiring +words of the wiry and vigorous elder. It was a terrible journey, fraught +by direful dangers on every side. Each foot of the way was gained by a +struggle, every yard was won by a battle. It was not until Carmarthen +Street was reached, that father and son could realize that they were +saved. They removed the covering from their heads, and looked back at +the road they had passed. A moment more in that fire would have been +their last. A figure was coming towards them, as they, arm in arm, +almost reeled up Carmarthen Street, and it proved to be the brother of +the woman Mr. Turnbull and his boy had tried to rescue. He was told that +his sister was left by the boat dead, and that no earthly power could +have saved her. One can imagine his agony when he learned these tidings. +The old lady proved to be Mrs. Reed, mother of Mr. T. M. Reed, a former +mayor of the city. At three o'clock the next morning, Mr. Turnbull went +back to Main Street, and on coming up to the unburned portion of the +boat, found close by it, the remains of Mrs. Reed. Mrs. Reed lost in the +fire two sisters--the Misses Clark, one of whom, it is thought, was +burned in her house, on the corner of Sydney and Main Streets. These +three ladies were highly respected and loved by all who knew them, and +their afflicted relatives meet with the sympathy of all. + +Mr. Turnbull's loss is very heavy and foots up fully twenty-five +thousand dollars. He lost absolutely everything he possessed, and the +deeds and bank-notes which he had in his safe were all burned. He does +not despair now of being able to retrieve himself in some way. He was +the first man to erect a wooden shanty and send a flag flying from its +summit. + +A large number of persons escaped from the resistless and giant-striding +flames by means of rafts and small boats. Others got a friendly sail to +Partridge Island in the tugs and steamers which approached the wharves +whenever it was safe to do so. Many of those who were on Reed's Point +Wharf and the Ballast Wharf got away in this manner. + +The contingent of firemen from Portland worked with a will, and did much +to check the flames--as much, indeed, as mortal man could do in a fire +like this, with a high wind blowing a perfect gale all the time. The +city firemen performed, with their brethren of the adjacent town, signal +service. They drew lines round the burning buildings and tried again and +again to confine the fire to one place, and prevent its spread. But the +effort was futile. The flames broke down the lines, rose up in a hundred +new places, and drove the firemen and their engines away from the spot. +Some splendid work was performed in the vicinity of King Street East, +and down towards Pitt. Here they were partly successful, and did all +that could be done under the circumstances. Many of them are heavy +losers, having lost everything they had in their own houses, while they +were engaged in trying to save those of others. In a fire which never +ceased to rage at its height until it came to the water's brink, and +which poured an unceasing stream of flame for nine steady hours, and +which burned in fifteen sections of the city at once, it was a +difficult matter for them with only four engines, to do anything like +stopping the conflagration until it had spent itself, no matter how +efficient and perfect the organization might be. No one expected the +firemen to accomplish anything. There was something in the air which +seemed to breed a sort of contagion, and the fire paralyzed buildings in +a moment, and no one could tell how they caught. The fire struck men +down where they were standing, and an invisible heat bore to the earth +the trees on the sideways. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + A Chapter of Incidents--Agony on Board--Coming Up the Harbour + --The Story of the Moths--The Newly Married Lady's Story--No + Flour--Moving Out--Saving the Drugs--The Man with the + Corn-Plasters--Incendiarism--Scenes--Thievery--The Newspapers + --Enterprise--Blowing Down the Walls--An Act of Bravery--The + Fatal Blast--Danger and Death in the Walls--Accidents--The Fire + and the Churches--The Ministers. + + +As the "Empress" was steaming up the harbour, from Digby, on the night +of the fire, the passengers on board, many of whom belonged to St. John, +beheld the city in flames. Some of them even saw from the water their +own residences on fire, and witnessed the alarming rapidity of the +flames and the almost powerless efforts of the people to stay their +ravages. One can imagine the feelings of those passengers who had left +children at home, and who now began to experience the greatest anguish +and suffering. What made the matter worse was, that some time had to +elapse before the captain could venture to approach his wharf, and this +added largely to the bitterness of the fathers and mothers on board. A +mother who had left a little one in the city, while absent on a journey +to Nova Scotia, told the writer that the agony she endured while making +the approach to the city completely deadened and prostrated her. She +grew perfectly helpless, and for a time nothing could rouse her from the +seeming state of insensibility under which she sank. Those were +terrible moments of suffering--awful moments of uncertainty. + +Among the curious incidents of the fire which are constantly coming to +the surface, is the rather good story which is told of one of our +neatest housekeepers. Her house is noted for its spotlessness, and some +who profess to know, say that such a thing as a spider's web could not +be seen about the premises, even in the cellar or wood-shed. The lady +has a natural abhorrence of those pests, the moths which _will_ get into +our furs sometimes and defy all the camphor and snuff in existence to +keep them out. One day, about six months ago, some handsome newly +upholstered chairs were purchased, and duly placed in the parlour. In a +week a moth was found in one of the new chairs, and there was much +consternation thereat. The rest of the furniture was examined carefully, +and the offending chair was sent to the upholsterer for his examination. +The result proved to the lady's satisfaction that she was right, and +that the flock which had been put into the chair with the hair had +caused all the mischief. The whole set was sent back to the +furniture-man, and he was ordered to take the flock out. He returned +them after a time, but in less than a week the persevering house-keeper +succeeded in finding moths in every one of the chairs. She sent them to +another upholsterer this time, and was awaiting their return when the +fire occurred, and they were burned up, moths and all, while her own +house was untouched. + +A newly-married lady fearing the fire would reach her dwelling, +succeeded in hiring a team, and putting into it her best furniture, +bedding, husband's clothes, and all her silver, sent them up to her +mother's house at about four o'clock in the afternoon. At six o'clock +her mother's residence was burned down, and with it all that was in it, +while her own house was about half a mile from the vicinity of the fire. +The lady was quite annoyed when the folks came in for a night's lodging +that night, shortly after tea was over. + +Considerable consternation prevailed among the people when it was known +that nearly all the flour in town had been burned. The estimated loss +was considered to be about fifty or sixty thousand barrels. One man is +said to have hurried out and paid $18 for a barrel, while there were +several persons who paid twenty cents a loaf for bread. + +A good many people who feared the fire was coming their way moved out, +and put their furniture, etc., in the street, and watched it till after +midnight, when the expected flames not arriving, they marched the +effects back again. The goods were almost as much damaged as if they had +remained in the fire. Large quantities of material were lost in this +way, and a lady saved an old pewter-box which once contained her +husband's sleeve-buttons and studs, while she wrapped the latter up in a +bag and never saw them again. + +Quite a number of cases of petty thieving occurred. A drug store, +shortly before the fire came to it, was filled with a gang of roughs and +pickpockets, who insisted on helping the proprietor to save a few +things. They were saving them with a vengeance; opening every box and +package that came in their way, and taking a dip out of each. One young +man, whose face bore the picture of health, had managed to save, when +detected, enough Blood Mixture to cure the scrofula in his family for +the next fifteen years. Boys, who should have stolen soap, were going in +for that excellent capillary restorer, Mrs. Allen's Zylobalsamum, and a +man, hobbling along with a wooden leg, was filling his pockets with +bunion and corn plasters. The boxes had a neat look, and he thought he +would see the next day what the contents were good for. Everyone wanted +to help, and one could not but admire the zeal with which these gentry +emptied drawers and boxes on the floor, and scrambled for the contents. +One young gentleman in his anxiety to save a mirror-stand, which +certainly could never be of any use to him, cut it in two and hastened +away, leaving a drawer full of toothpicks, and a bottle of rat poison +behind him, which he might have had just as well as not. A citizen, who +said he felt dry after working so hard all day, regaled himself with a +pint bottle of Ipecacuanha wine, and left immediately after it was down, +to see how the fire was getting along in another place. One can never +forget these little acts of kindness. It is the performance of deeds +like these which exalts a nation, and makes us feel that the world is +not altogether a fleeting show or a snare. + +The cry of incendiarism was raised during the first days of the fire, +and a good deal of alarm prevailed. Special constables patrolled the +city, volunteer soldiers were placed on guard, and the policemen were +ordered to be vigilant. Several arrests were made; but the greater +portion of these were unnecessary, and, in nearly all cases, the persons +arrested turned out to be noisy, drunken men, whose actions were +misinterpreted by the officers. Some cases of incendiarism did really +occur, however, and it was just as well that the city should be guarded, +and the rougher element closely looked after. There is no doubt but that +the fire at half-past two in the morning, in J. and T. Robinson's brick +building, York Point Slip, was caused by the torch of the incendiary; +and on Monday afternoon, a man was actually caught in the act of setting +fire to Mrs. David Tapley's house in Indian-town. A good deal of talk +about lynching was indulged in, but no one was lynched, though rumours +came thick and fast, that one man had been shot, another hanged, and any +number of people, according to the fertility of the narrator's +imagination, were thrown into the sea. Drunkenness was rampant, and all +saw how necessary it was that this evil should be stopped short. The +licenses to the sellers could not be taken away, and it was optional +with them whether they would listen to the appeals of the citizens or +not. A committee, at a meeting of the people was appointed to ask the +bar-tenders to close their bars for one week. To the credit of these +gentlemen, be it said, they acceded to the request at once, and the +bars were closed. This had a salutary effect on the morals of the +community. + +For days after the fire, stolen goods were being constantly recovered by +the police and special constables. Large quantities were found concealed +in houses situate a little distance away from the city, while even in +the city limits, the officers met with a good deal of success in tracing +articles that had been surreptitiously carried off. Some outward-bound +schooners arrived at their places of destination along the New Brunswick +and Nova Scotia coasts, laden with spoils from the fire, but in most +cases these were got back. + +H. M. S. Argus arrived from Halifax with the Marine Artillery and some +soldiers. A number of the sailors did patrol duty in Carleton, and the +artillery spent several days blowing down the walls of the buildings, +and doing other work entrusted to their care. A number of soldiers of +the 97th Regiment also arrived from Halifax, and these together with a +company of the 62nd Battalion of volunteers, and some men of the +volunteer artillery under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Foster, the +senior Lieutenant-Colonel of the Dominion, performed guard and other +duty until the 6th of July, when the volunteers were disbanded, and the +regulars were continued for a time. The men behaved excellently and did +good service. They were all encamped in King's Square. + +[Illustration: KING SQUARE AFTER THE FIRE, ENCAMPMENT OF THE 97TH +REGIMENT.] + +The U.S. Revenue Cutter "Gallatin" made two trips from Boston laden with +supplies from the generous people there, for the relief of the sufferers +by the fire. + +With commendable enterprise, many of the merchants who were burned out, +and could not secure premises in which to carry on their business, by +permission of the authorities, erected shanties on King and Market +Squares, which they promise to pull down before the first of May, 1878. +The city now looks quite primitive. Turn where you will, shanties of +various sizes and styles meet the eye. + +Some very good work was done at the ferry floats by the employes of the +boat. Through their exertions the fire was kept away for a considerable +time from the handsome new Magee Block, which stood on the corner of +Water and Princess Streets. This building will be put up again at once. + +The newspaper men were heavy losers, but nothing daunted, they went to +work at once and lost no time. The _Telegraph_, through the courtesy of +Mr. George W. Day, printer, was out on the very morning after the fire, +with a smaller, but very spicy and interesting little sheet. The +_Telegraph_ proprietor and editor, Mr. Elder, did not save even his +fyles. The _Globe_ also did not lose an issue, and on Thursday evening +it was as bright and attractive as usual, and contained an excellent +account of the fire. The _Daily News_ lost its issue on Thursday, but on +Sunday, the proprietors, Messrs. Willis & Mott, issued a very +interesting paper, and so made up for what it lost on Thursday. The +resume of the work of spoliation in this number of the _News_ was very +graphic. The _Freeman_[R] did not issue a paper. The three principal +papers immediately set to work buying type, paper, and presses, and in a +fortnight after the fire, the _News_ was issued full size from a new +press on the site of its old office. The _Globe_ and _Telegraph_ +followed with new presses, &c., a day or two after. The _News_ and +_Globe_ were issued after the fire for a few days from the _Weekly +Herald_ office, Germain Street. + +At the blowing down of the walls of the Post Office, an act of valour +was performed by some men belonging to the volunteer Battery of +Artillery, which deserves prominent mention. Major Cunard, Captain A. J. +Armstrong, and Lieutenants Inch and Ewing, together with a detachment of +the Brigade of New Brunswick Artillery, under the command of +Lieutenant-Colonel S. K. Foster, marched to Prince William Street, and +proceeded to blow down the walls of the Post Office. Sentries were +posted all round a circle of nearly two hundred yards, and everything +being in readiness the work was begun. Two bags of powder were placed +against the building with the length of spouting which would contain the +port fire fuse that was to connect with the powder. Two charges went off +and the effect on the walls was slight. The men thought of the +expediency of placing a charge against the inside as well as one on the +outside of the building. The trains were laid and the fuses lit, but +some loose powder igniting in a moment with the train, it exploded with +a deafening crash before the men could get away, and half of the wall +facing Prince William Street, came down as if a thunder-bolt had struck +it. Gunner John Nixon, of No. 2 Battery, was covered with the debris, +but escaped uninjured, save a few scratches on the arm and a cut or two. +Gunner Walter Lamb, of No. 10 Battery, was stricken down and every one +deemed him dead, the smoke and debris completely hiding him. The second +70lb blast was still burning and was momentarily expected to go off, +when Lamb's hand was observed to rise over his head and touch his cap. +In a moment five men, unmindful of the terrible fate which threatened +them, rushed in and bravely dragged from the mass of ruins, their fallen +comrade. He was borne away just as the second charge went off with a +roar, carrying away at a bound the remainder of the wall. Stones and +bricks flew in every direction and John Anderson, who was standing in +Germain Street, but whose presence there was unknown, fell badly +wounded. He was conveyed to the hospital and died in a few days. The +names of the five artillery men who behaved so bravely are, Lieutenant +Inch, No. 10; Lieutenant Wm. King, No. 10; Corporal J. R. Andrews, No. +3; Corporal Anderson, No. 1; and Gunner R. McJunkin, No. 10. Captain +Ring, of Carleton Battery, was standing within three paces of Gunner +Lamb when he fell. His escape was certainly miraculous. + +The pulling down of the walls has been attended by a good many +accidents, some of them terminating seriously. A week after the fire +some men were engaged in taking down the walls of the building in Dock +Street, belonging to the Johnston estate. Two men were cleaning out the +foundation at the same time. The wall trembled in the breeze, and the +men looking up fled for their lives. One of them, James Wilkins +escaped, but Thomas Sullivan was caught by the pile of bricks and his +head was badly cut and his limbs bruised. A day or so after this +accident, another one occurred which ended fatally. Some workmen were +removing the rubbish from a building, when a wall that enclosed a vault +of some seven or eight feet in height fell, and George Gallagher was +buried in the ruins. He was taken to the Hospital (Dr. E. B. C. +Hanington, resident physician), and it was found that his spine was +broken, his thigh fractured, and he had sustained serious injuries +internally. He died in a few hours. + +The Sunday after the fire, the ministers referred in their sermons to +the very general conflagration, and its lessons. At St. Paul's Church, +in the morning, Rev. Mr. De Veber preached. In the afternoon, the Rev. +Mr. Mather, and in the evening, Rev. Mr. Brigstocke, of Trinity, +officiated. Rev. Mr. Windeyer preached both morning and evening in his +church, the Reformed Episcopal. Rev. S. P. Fay, a Bangor clergyman, +preached in the Union Street Congregational Church, morning and evening. +Rev. James Bennet preached in St. John's Presbyterian in the morning, +and Rev. A. McL. Stavely in the afternoon. Rev. Dr. D. Maclise, in the +morning preached in Calvin Church; and in the evening, Rev. Mr. +Mitchell, of St. Andrew's Kirk, preached. The Exmouth Street Church held +three services, Rev. Mr. Duke in the morning, Rev. Howard Sprague in the +afternoon, and in the evening Revs. Messrs. Hartt and Sprague addressed +the congregation. Rev. Mr. Fowler preached in Carleton Presbyterian +Church in the morning, and there was no service in the evening. The +Baptist pulpit was occupied by Rev. Mr. Hickson, the pastor, both +morning and evening. Rev. Theodore Dowling preached in St. George's +Church. At the Free Christian Church, Rev. George Hartley preached in +the afternoon. At the Portland Baptist Church, Rev. Mr. McLellan, the +pastor, preached morning and evening. The Portland Methodist Church had +Rev. Mr. Barrett in the morning, and Rev. Mr. Teed in the evening. St. +Luke's, Portland, had sermons from Rev. Mr. Almon, the rector. Brussels +Street Church had Rev. Mr. Alexander. At the Roman Catholic Cathedral, +at nine o'clock mass, Bishop Sweeny addressed the congregation, and at +eleven, Bishop Power, of Newfoundland, preached. Rev. Mr. Wills +delivered a sermon at the Unitarian Hall; and in the St. Stephen +Presbyterian Church, Rev. D. Macrae preached in the morning, and the +Rev. Mr. Donald, of Port Hope, in the evening.[S] + +Thirty-nine orphans were kindly taken care of by Mr. R. B. Graham, the +visiting agent of the Baldwin Place Home for Little Wanderers, who +carried them to Boston, Massachusetts. + +Some months ago a clever poem in several books, entitled "On the Hills," +from the pen of a Nova Scotia lady of excellent reputation as a writer, +Mrs. Morton, _nee_ Irene S. Elder, was placed in the hands of Wm. Elder, +Esq., of the St. John's _Daily Telegraph_, to read. On the day of the +fire, he put this manuscript in his safe, for protection. When the safe +was opened, the manuscript was found quite legible. The scene of the +poem is laid in our sister province, and it is said to contain some +genuine touches of true poetry. + +_Apropos_ of manuscripts, it may be said that Prof. Wm. Lyall, of +Halifax, lost a very valuable treatise "On the Emotions," which was +burned in Mr. Stewart's safe, King street. Mr. W. P. Dole lost all his +sonnets, and his late paper "On Definitions," upon which he had expended +a good deal of time. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[R] The _Freeman_ will be issued shortly as a daily. + +[S] Rev. Geo. M. Armstrong preached in Stone Church, (built +1824) and on the Sabbath following the Bishop of Fredericton preached in +the same church. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + "I went againe to the ruines, for it was no longer a Citty"--the + Drive by Moonlight--Through the Ruins--After the Fire--A City of + Ashes--The Buried Silver--The Sentinel Chimneys--The Home of + Luxuriance--A Recollection--The Moon and the Church--Back Again. + + +Shelley's white-orbed maiden sits in the sky, and already her pale torch +is silvering the peaks of the ruins. Let us take a carriage, and drive +round the desolate city, slowly and softly, and view the giant wreck +which the fire has made. There is no better time than the present. The +moon is up, and quietness reigns. It is as light as day. We will drive +first to the barrack-ground, and look up the long hills. Three days have +passed, and the first excitement is now over. A thousand weary pilgrims +have made the journey to this desert of desolation a hundred times since +the fire, and vainly dug on the site where their homes once were, for +relics, or perhaps something more. Why, look there! it is past midnight, +and those three men you see working by that blackened wall, seem so +wrapped up in their occupation, that they scarcely speak to one another, +or note the presence of any one but themselves. See, they are carrying +away the still hot bricks, and throwing into the street bits of iron and +charred wood. Look, watch them for a moment--witness how they-- + + "Dig, dig, dig, amid earth, and mortar, and stone, + And dig, dig, dig, among ruins overthrown; + Spade, and basket, and pick, the toiling Arabs ply." + +How monotonous the work appears, and how strangely weird everything +looks. To speak now, and hail these men, would break the charm--would +interrupt the gaunt and gloomy silence of the place. But the presence of +these excavators, at such an hour as this, arouses our curiosity. We +know that the standard authorities tell us, that no matter how deeply +men may dig for the pirate's buried treasure, if any one speaks during +the performance of the work, the spell becomes broken, the enchantment +passes away, and the iron box of doubloons vanishes. We have no means of +disputing this, and wouldn't if we could. We have no desire to attempt +to prove the contrary, but rather incline to the belief that the +authorities are right, for we have it on the word of a gentleman who +once owned a mineral rod, and whose word is undoubted, that a certain +Miss Pitts, who was engaged all her life in digging about the gardens of +her neighbours, and who never found anything up to the day of her death, +confessed to him during her last illness, that her tongue had spoiled +all. Had she but kept quiet when her spade struck the iron-box, all +would have been well. But her joy was so great at the sight of the +treasure, that she couldn't contain herself longer, and giving utterance +to her feelings she spoke, and the box of course, immediately sank. The +truth of this narrative can be established by excellent witnesses, and +Miss Pitts, whatever her other faults might be, had always a splendid +reputation for veracity. She made and sold mineral rods too, and, in +explaining their miraculous properties, gave out the advice that, by a +judicious and constant use of her peculiar make of mineral rod, the +whole world might speedily become rich, and at very trifling cost, thus +exhibiting a vein of disinterestedness, as generous as it was rare. We +say then, in the face of all this, and at the risk of destroying what +happiness yet remained in the minds of the men who were thus toiling +through the ghostly hour of twelve, we drew rein and hailed them. We +couldn't help it. Our curiosity got the better of us, and we asked them +what they were digging for. They were hunting for treasures, truly, not +the pirate's though, but their own. During the fire, and unable to hire +a team at any price, they had dug a deep hole in the cellar of the house +and buried there, what jewelry and silver-ware they could scrape +together. They were now hunting for it, and eventually they found it, in +not even a discoloured state. + +But let us go on. A very pleasant wind is fanning our foreheads, and +there is a charm about this drive which we never experienced before. A +grim charm truly, but nevertheless, a charm after all. Are we not going +to see the ruins. The ruins which came to us in a night--the heritage of +the fire. We have a Dunga and a Dugga, and a Carthage of our own. In a +few brief hours we had a desolation here, which, in other lands it took +great centuries to create. We have crumbling ruins, and shapeless masses +of stone in the very heart of a community which boasted, but a short +time before, of a civilization and an enterprise unsurpassed the world +over. Let the eye wander as we pass along the deserted streets, and take +in the full view as it appears. What a fascination there is about this +district of sorrow. Why is it we pause, and wonder if Troy ever looked +like this; or the ruins of Sodom stood out against the sky like that +house there, this edifice here or that once noble structure beyond. All, +all is desolation, all blackness, despair, decay and misery. Look at +those ponderous walls, which defied the flames to the last. See they are +still standing, broken it is true, but standing proudly and defiantly +for all that. See, the moon is throwing her light upon that church +yonder. See how she dances, now high, now low, look, she disappears +behind the tall wall, and all we see for a moment is a dark shadow. Now +there she is again. Here comes the glittering Cynthia with her robes of +white. She is coming along up, up, up by that angle there. Now she is +soaring along the sky. Now she seems to stand right over our heads. How +light it is. How bright and beautiful the moon is to-night. How playful +the mad thing is, how merrily and joyously she disports herself in the +heavens, and yet how kindly she turns her sympathetic face on the vale +below. She sails along, casting lingering and tearful glances on the +havoc-stricken land. + +We will drive over to that eminence there and look at the squares of +ruins, and notice the fragments of columns which remain. Turn your head +round, and look at those sentinel chimneys standing so erect, and so +regularly in line. Ah, that is where the old barrack stood, and those +chimneys, no doubt, heard many a well-told tale of the bivouac and the +battle-field. Could they but speak to-night, what reminiscence would +they relate of Lucknow and Cawnpore, of the Heights of Alma, and bloody +plain of Inkerman. What stories would they tell you of the gallant +fellows who on bleak winter nights gathered round their base, and +chatted and talked of battles fought and won, and the great deeds of +bravery they had seen. These high chimneys have many bits of history +locked within them which the world shall never know. They stood there +when the city was almost as bare of houses as it is now. They have seen +the busy workman, and heard the sound of his axe and saw; they have seen +the city grow more and more strong and beautiful; they have watched its +growth from a mere hamlet to a metropolis; they have witnessed the +erection of noble structures on sites where trees and bushes flourished +before; they have seen St. John on the morning of the 20th June +prosperous, enterprising, and full of energy and life; and they have +seen her again before the sun went down, stricken to the earth, with her +buildings in ruins, and the work of almost a hundred years in ashes. The +old sentries keep guard to-night, blackened and bared. + +Turn the horse a little this way. Now look up the street. Do you see +that pile of bricks and mortar and those heavy stones lying near? That +_debris_ is all that is left of a house where in my youth, I spent many +happy hours. I must take you into my confidence and tell you that the +owner of that house is to-day a poor man. The day before the fire he was +comparatively comfortable, rich I should call it, but the way wealth is +computed now-a-days, I will content myself with saying that he was +comfortably off. He had his carriage and horses--such splendid drivers, +and how well he kept them--he had a library, and such books, and he knew +what was in them too. History, belles-lettres, biography, science, all +departments were here. You could read if you chose on an idle afternoon, +in that alcove off the library, over there, a few feet from those +bricks, anything your fancy dictated. I used to love to sit there and +pull down his books--not to read them always, but merely to skim the +cream off a dozen or so of them of an afternoon. He had some charming +old books which he always kept in the extreme corner of his case. I +remember with what awe I used to approach this section, and take down +from the shelf his luxuriant copy of Milton, printed early in the +eighteenth century, and illustrated with a grand old portrait of the +blind bard. I read Pope's Homer here for the first time, and actually +waded through the Chesterfield Letters. I used to sit over towards the +left of where we are now, just close to that old stove-pipe which you +can just see peeping through the bricks. I may live many years, or I may +pass away to-night, but I shall never forget that dear old house, and +the many happy, happy hours I spent there. Come away. Something seems to +choke me, and one wants all his strength these days. Continue along in +this direction. We shall see all that is left of many beautiful houses +from here. There's the Wiggins' Orphan Asylum. The tower and the walls +are there. What exquisite ruins they are. Let us look at them awhile. +One can almost fancy he has seen somewhere a picture of the remains of +an edifice that looked like this. I can almost hear the guide tapping +his cane on the walls, and telling me to note how excellently preserved +the building is, and how admirably the builders put it up. See how solid +and strong it is, and hardly a discoloration marks its handsome front. +That dingy and dismal-looking old wooden building near at hand is the +Marine Hospital--that was saved all right. + +Did you notice the jagged, fringe-like edges of that building which we +passed just now, in that bend near the road? How intense the heat must +have been there to wear it down like that. And did you observe that +wooden door lying in the vestibule scarcely touched by the flames, while +everything around it was burned to a crisp? What odd freaks the fire +takes sometimes. Drive a little faster keep well to the left. The +streets are full of stones and broken brick yet. We are now coming past +Queen Square, and let us look in a moment on Mecklenburg Street. What a +beautiful sight those burning coals make in Mr. Vaughan's house. You can +see better by the left, there, now stop. See the pale light is above, +the deep blood-red light is below. What a curious meeting. You can +scarcely see the dividing line between them. Drive through the street to +Carmarthen, take in on the way Mr. Nicholson's Castle, and the houses +of Messrs. Magee on the left, and before you turn up the street look at +that immense mass of burning coals belonging to the Gas Company, blazing +away like some volcano in a state of eruption. There are smouldering +fires all round the city, and ruins upon ruins meet us at every turn. My +heart sickens at the sight. Let us drive home. We have visited the ruins +by moonlight. + + + + +Chapter XV. + + Aid for St. John--The First Days--How the Poor were Fed-- + Organization of the St. John Relief and Aid Society--Its + System--How it Operates--The Rink--The Car-shed--List of + Moneys and Supplies Received--The Noble Contributions. + + +No sooner was it known abroad that a great fire had swept away the +principal portion of St. John, and that thousands of people walked the +streets, homeless and hungry, than, with wonderful unanimity, generous +offers of aid came pouring in from all sides, for the relief of the +ruined city. Large sums of money, cargoes of supplies, and carloads of +breadstuffs, furniture, and clothing arrived; and committees of +citizens, notwithstanding that they were burned out themselves, and had +suffered severely, forgot everything in the desire to do good, and +instantly proceeded to take charge of this relief, and administer it to +the needy. The spacious skating rink was at their disposal, and this +splendid building soon became the house of refuge for over three hundred +homeless persons. These men, women, and children lived, slept, and ate +here day after day, for a week and more after the fire. The rink was +also converted into a provision storehouse, and from its centre the +poor, daily, received the necessaries of life. The ladies' dressing-room +was thrown into a clothes department, and from this place the wants of +applicants were attended to. Of course the system employed at first was +very loose, and while many deserving persons received aid, others, +again, who had no claims on the fund, fared equally as well. The +committee took the ground that it was better a few impositions should +occur than that one deserving person should "go empty away," and +accordingly none were refused alms and other assistance. The greatest +credit is due to these gentlemen for their kindly and disinterested +labours. While in office they did much good, and the generous donors of +the material which was so freely sent, can rest assured that their +bounty was not misapplied. Everything passed through the hands of His +Worship, Mayor Earle, the chief civic officer, and was by him placed +immediately after its receipt, in the possession of the proper ones who +were delegated to receive it. But this committee could not be expected +to distribute the relief, after the first week or two. The sums of +money, and the immense quantity of supplies, which continued, and still +continue, to come, and the large increase of applicants who only now +began to realize their loss, caused the work to grow more and more +arduous and cumbersome. Some regularly organized system of administering +aid must be devised, and a proper board of workmen selected, who would +be paid fairly for their services. This was what was done in Chicago, +during the days of her calamity, and our people wisely considered that a +leaf out of her book would answer the purpose. A meeting was called, and +though some dissatisfaction existed at the precise _manner_ in which the +thing was done, yet, after all, the error in such times as these should +not be accounted as anything very serious. The movers meant well, and +every one could not have a place on the board of directors. + +[Illustration: SKATING RINK.] + +Mr. C. G. Trusdell, the General Superintendent of the Chicago Relief and +Aid Society, was sent down to St. John to give what counsel he could, +and relate his experience to the people, and point out to them the +beauties of the organization which obtained in Chicago during her +troubles. He counselled the instant formation of a similar society here. +He knew its workings intimately. It was thorough; it was business-like. +No one, after the system was in full working order, could impose on the +managers, and order would come out of chaos, and confusion no longer +exist. His words had weight, for he had passed through the fire himself; +and steps were at once inaugurated for the establishment of "The St. +John Relief and Aid Society," with full control of the funds and +supplies. The men who were selected for the task are those in whom the +citizens have every confidence. The Directors are:-- + + S. Z. Earle, Mayor, _President_. + W. H. Tuck, Recorder, _Vice-President_. + Chas. H. Fairweather, _Treasurer_. + + James A. Harding. + Hon. Geo. E. King. + Harris Allan. + Fred A. King. + Andre Cushing. + James Reynolds. + H. J. Leonard. + James I. Fellows. + Wm. Magee. + Chas. N. Skinner. + Ezekiel McLeod. + Gen. D. B. Warner. + A. Chipman Smith. + John H. Parks. + E. Fisher. + + Aldermen Maher, Peters, Ferguson, Kerr, Adams, Duffell, Brittain, + Glasgow, and Wilson, with L. R. Harrison, _Secretary_. + +These gentlemen then organized the St. John Relief and Aid Society, and +assumed charge at once. The moneys were deposited in the bank, to the +credit of Chas. H. Fairweather, the Treasurer; and General D. B. Warner, +U.S. Consul, entered upon his duties as General Superintendent, and +opened his office at the rink. + +The sufferers by the fire, who had lived in the rink up to this time, +were housed in tents on the barrack green. The rink was thrown into +compartments. Fully two-thirds were placed at the service of the +store-keeper, who dealt out the provisions, the manager of the furniture +department, and the overseer of the space allotted to clothing. The +space directly in front of the door-way is occupied by the different +officers who perform the preliminary work. The gentlemen's dressing-room +is devoted to the use of the visitors, and the other dressing-room is +where the General Superintendent is to be found. No more admirable +system of giving out help to those whose wants require it, could be +formed. It is perfection itself, and though mistakes may occur +occasionally, on the whole it moves like a piece of well-appointed +machinery. The reader must understand that thousands of applications are +made daily, and all sorts of tricks are resorted to by those whose +necessities require no help, and every dollar given away to the +undeserving, is so much carried from the mouths of the honest and +honourable, for whom this magnificent donation was made. The greatest +care must be exercised, and it is the business of quite a staff of +officers to see that these impositions are checked, and no one is served +twice on the same order. No one has been refused aid, if he was +legitimately entitled to it. + +The actual working of the system is an interesting study. Everything is +done regularly and methodically. There is a substantial reason for every +movement, and it is surprising how quickly the officers can detect an +informality, or notice any attempt at deception. A brief account of the +system as it works will be interesting to many. Upon entering through +the main entrance, the visitor will notice, in stepping down to the +floor of the rink, a number of benches. On these the applicants sit, +each awaiting his or her turn, as the case may be. Before them are the +interviewers, six or seven in number, seated at convenient desks. The +applicant steps up and answers the questions propounded on a sheet of +paper. This document is signed, and one of Mr. G. B. Hegan's (the chief +of the clerks' staff) clerks numbers it. It then goes before Mr. Peter +Campbell, the superintendent of visitors. He allots it to the visitor of +the district to which the applicant belongs, for his name and address +are on this paper. The next day this house is visited, and the wants of +the residents being made known are entered on the paper, if in the +opinion of the visitor, after thorough examination, they come under the +proper head for relief. The applicant is told to call at the rink, where +he receives orders for furniture, clothing or provisions, or all three +if he needs them. After that has been gone through, it is only the +question of a few minutes when he gets what he wants. He presents each +ticket to the department of the various supplies, and after receiving +his quota he passes out. The process is very simple, though it appears +at first sight a little involved. It is the only way, however, by which +a complete check may be put on what goes out or by which every dollar's +worth of supplies can be strictly accounted for. Cases calling for +immediate aid often come before the managers. The applicant's needs are +urgent, and he cannot wait two days. He must have something now and at +once. Even here the wheels of the system are not clogged. In half an +hour or less he goes off with a day or two's full supply. An interim +ticket is furnished for just such cases as his, and he gets enough on +that "Immediate Relief" card, in advance of visitation to keep him from +actual suffering, until his regular supply can come to him in due +course. The plan adopted to prevent fraud works excellently, and without +the remotest possibility of a mistake. This is the famous vowel index +system and there is no better way than it. This is in charge of the +book-keepers under W. H. Stanley, the Chief Book-keeper, whose fine +ability has full scope in the management of this department. A complete +registration is made of the name and number and residence of every +applicant. The vouchers bearing these statements are fyled away in +packages of a hundred, and it is only the work of a few seconds to find +out all about the applicant as soon as he presents himself. In this +department only the "issued" documents are kept. Before they pass into +the book-keeper's hands they are retained by another set of clerks who +hold them until the supplies are issued; when this is done the words +"issued to ----" are written down on the face of the voucher in red ink +and at once recorded at the book-keeper's desk and fyled as before +mentioned. Mr. Hegan, whose desk faces the door, performs his functions +with excellent executive skill, and the other gentlemen in charge of the +different departments have the system at their fingers' end and already +show much familiarity with the work. It is the duty of the visitors who +call on the people named in the circulars handed them, to make every +legitimate enquiry and strive to learn the fullest particulars of the +applicants, as much depends on their report to headquarters. This duty +is entrusted to persons of discernment and reliability, and few +complaints have reached the General Superintendent of negligence and +incompetency. As soon as they occur, however, the offenders are promptly +dismissed. The Provision Department is in charge of Mr. Geo. Swett, +formerly Manager of the Victoria Hotel. He has an efficient staff of +clerks, and his store-room reminds one of a well regulated wholesale +grocery store. The meat is cut up into convenient pieces by butchers, +and the whole management here is reduced to a system; Mr. Swett is +always courteous and looks carefully after those under him. Mr. Kerrison +is chief of the Clothing Department, and Mr. P. Gleason, is the +principal officer of the Furniture Room. Miss Rowley is Superintendent +of the Ladies' Clothing Department. The heads of the different +departments are held responsible for the doings of their subordinates, +and the utmost vigilance is accordingly exercised. + +The large car-shed immediately adjoining the rink, has been converted +into a store-room and receiving office. Here, Messrs. Wm. Magee and +James Reynolds receive the supplies as they come to the very doors of +the shed by rail, and are brought from the steamers by carts. As most of +the relief comes by train there is no cartage or expense attached, and +this besides being very convenient is wholly inexpensive. Not an article +can leave here to go to the various departments in the rink, unless an +order comes for it from some chief of a department. The supplies are +usually ordered in large quantities in the morning and in sufficient +amounts to last one day. The warehouse is kept well, and the goods +therein are carefully looked after and subject to constant examination. +Everything here, as well as in the other rooms, is done by check, and +nothing can go astray. + +The Directors are husbanding their resources and looking further ahead +than the present hour. Care is taken to render judiciously the relief +which has come from the generous friends abroad. It is likely that the +St. John Relief and Aid Society will continue several years in active +operation. They will have much to do, and the trials which will come +with the winter will be very trying. + + +LIST OF BUSINESS HOUSES BURNT OUT. + + Academy of Music A. M. Ring, Pres. Germain Street. + Adams, James & Co. Drygoods King Street. + Allan, Harris Brass-founder Water Street. + Allan Bros. Foundrymen " " + Allan, J. Howe Provisions South Mkt. Whf. + Allan, John Tinsmith Canterbury Street. + Allen, Geo. Em. Commercial agent Prince William Street. + Ames, Horace T. Ship chandlery Walker's Whf. + Albert Mining Co. Albertite Pr. William Street. + Armstrong, Aaron Bonded warehouse " " + Armstrong, Bros. Founders Main Street. + Armstrong, John & Co. Dry goods Prince William Street + Austin, W. H. Livery Stable Princess Street. + Andrews, Wm. Mountain, + & Co. Manuf. Agents Prince William Street. + Arrowsmith, J. E. Victualler Germain. + Abel, Mrs. Boarding-house " + Aitken, Allen & Co. Machinists Sydney Street. + Anglin, Hon. T. W. "Freeman" Prince William Street. + Almon, L. J. Insurance Princess Street. + + Brown, Silas H. Builder Pitt St. + Ballantine, J. E. & Co. Boots and shoes + (retail) King St. + Barbour Bros. Provisions South Mkt. Whf. + Barbour, M. C. Dry goods (retail) Prince William St. + Barbour, Robt. Painter + Bardsley, Bros. Hats King St. + Butt, W. F. Bonded warehouse Nelson St. + Brennan, Henry Oyster saloon Water St. + Barnes, A. B. & Co. Hotel-keepers Prince William St. + Barnes & Co. Booksellers " " + Benn, J. C. Insurance Germain St. + Barnes, Jos. W. & Co. Dry goods (retail) Market Square. + Betts Azor, W. T. Comm Ward St. + Bridgeo, D. Boarding-house Prince William St. + Bartsch, A. J. H. Watches and + Chronometers " " + Beard & Venning Dry goods " " + Benson, John Millinery " " + Beek, Henry S. Bookbinder " " + Bell, Joseph Painter Duke St. + Bellony, John Pictures Dock St. + Bent, Geo. R. Musical instruments, + organs Main St. + Bent, Gilbert Provisions South Mkt. Whf. + Bertain, G. W. E. Ship-owner Prince William St. + Berton Bros. Groceries Dock St. + Berryman, Drs. J. & + D. E. Physicians Charlotte St. + Best, Norris Metals Water St. + Bone, Peter Liquors Smyth St. + Birmingham, Michael " Dock St. + Biddington, George " Canterbury St. + Black, Wm. Ship chandler Ward St. + Blackall, Michael Coaches Prince William St. + Blanchard, W. E. Women's wear Germain St. + Blizard, S. G. Lumber yard Britain St. + Blizzard, Wm. Fish packer Prince William St. + Bostwick, C. M. Provisions Water St. + Bourke, T. L. Groceries and liquors Dock St. + Bowes & Evans Tinsmiths and stoves Canterbury St. + Bradley, Bros. Block & pump makers + Breeze, Dudne Liquors and groceries, + bonded warehouse + burned + Brims, A. & Son. Brewers Wentworth St. + Bruce, J. Boots and Shoes Sydney St. + Brockington, H. & Co. Tailors Germain St. + Brown, John C. Commission & W. I goods Brown's Wharf. + Brown & Nugent Liquors Dock St. + Burns, G. M. Boarding-house " + Bruckhof, Wm. Mouldings Germain St. + Bullock, Jos. Oils Nelson St. + Baillie, Chas. Fly tyer Prince William St. + Burnham, C. E., & Co. Furniture Germain St. + Burpee, I. & F. & Co. Iron and hardware North wharf. + Butt, John H. Tailor Germain St. + Buist, A. Liquors Water St. + Buxton, Thos. B. Liquors Dock St. + Brundage, Thos. Sail maker Merritt's wharf. + Brennan, B. Liquors Canterbury St. + Bank New Brunswick Hon.J. D. Lewin, Pres. Princess St. + Bank Nova Scotia J. M. Robinson, Agent Market Square. + Bank Montreal E. C. Jones, Agent " " + Brown, Miss Milliner Germain St. + Bustin, A. T. Circulating Library Germain St. + Bayard, Dr. Wm. Physician " " + Brewster, E. E. Bottler Dock St. + Burke, John Undertaker Princess St. + Bryden, Bros. & Co. Bakers + Bertaux, Geo. E. Ships Prince William Street. + + Cain, Antony Liquors & groceries Mill St. + Callaghan, John " " Reed's Point. + Cameron, J. R. & Co. Oils and lamps Prince William St. + Campbell, P. & J. Blacksmiths Union St. + Campbell, Thos. Gas fitter Germain St. + Carleton, Robt. Blockmaker Wood St. + Carroll, David Plumber Princess St. + Carvill, Geo. Iron Nelson St. + Carvill, McKean & Co. Merchants Office, Walker's wharf. + Chubb, H. & Co. Stationers Prince William St. + Churchill, David Fancy goods Prince William St. + Clarke, Alfred T. W. I. goods Smyth St. + Clarke, James Flour Inspector + Clarke, G. H. Auctioneer Prince William St. + Clementson, F. & Co. Crockery Dock St. + Climo, J. S. Photographs & frames Germain St. + Coholane, John Grocer Dock St. + Collins, Francis Commission Dock St. + Connolly, Capt. Nautical school Water St. + Colpitts, Thos. R. Photographer Germain St. + Conroy, H. & Son Hair goods Canterbury St. + Corbitt, John Block & pumpmaker Ward St. + Corbitt, Samuel Furniture Prince William St. + Cornwall, Ira, jr. Insurance Agent Princess St. + Cotter, W. & Sons Victuallers Prince William St. + Coughlan, Daniel Clothing Dock St. + Coughlan, R. Liquors Ward St. + Coughlan, Thos. L. Jewelry King St. + Cox, Joseph Stone cutter + Crawford, W. K. Books King St. + Cruickshank, James F. Ship owner Office Maritime Bank + Cushing, Andre & Co. Lumber Office Prince Wm. St. + Cotter, B. Fruit Dock St. + Cochrane, F. J. Drugs Charlotte St. + + Daniel & Boyd Dry goods, wholesale Market Square. + Davidson, Wm. Lumber Office Water St. + Davidson, Wm. J. Tug boats " " " + Dun, Wiman & Co. Mercantile Agency " Maritime Bank. + Dearborn & Co. Spices Nelson St. + De Forest, Geo. S. Provisions & W I goods South wharf. + Della Torre, C. & W. & + Co. Toys King St. + Deveber, L. H. & Sons Merchants Prince William St. + Devine, George F. Sheet Music " " " + Dalzell, J. W. Furniture Germain St. + Devoe, John D. Liquors & groceries Water St. + Daniel, Dr. J. W. Physician Germain St. + Dodge, Isaac A. Blacksmith + Doherty, Wm. & Co. Clothiers Market Square. + Domville, Jas. & Co. Merchants North Wharf. + Donovan, Jeremiah Boots and Shoes Dock St. + Driscoll Bros. Ship-owners Water St. + Driscoll, M. Ship-chandler " " + Duff, Alexander Tug Boats " " + Duffell, Henry Lumber Charlotte St. + Dunham & Clarke Architects Prince William St. + Dunn, J. E. Insurance Ritchie's Building. + Dunn, Jas. L., & Co. Iron and Ship-owners Smyth St. + Dyall, James Gas-fitter Water St. + DeBlois, T. M. News Room Prince William St. + Doody & Tole Plumbers " " " + Driscoll, Daniel Liquors Carmarthen. + + Eastern Express Co. Jos. R. Stone, Agent Prince William St. + Eaton, Geo. Commission Nelson St. + Emerson, R. B. Tinsmith Germain St. + Emery, Oliver & Co. Provisions and Ships South Wharf. + Erb & Bowman Flour North Wharf. + Everitt & Butler Wholesale Dry Goods Canterbury. + Everett, C. & E. Hatters Prince William St. + Everett, Geo. F. & Co. Drugs King St. + Elder, Wm. _Daily Telegraph_ Prince William St. + Ellis & Armstrong _Evening Globe_ " " " + + Finlay, Hugh _Printer's Miscellany_ Prince William St. + Finnegan, H. Liquors Prince William St. + Flinn, Geo. Saloon Canterbury St. + Fairweather, H. H. Coal York Point Slip. + Fairweather, A. C. & G. + E. Insurance Princess St. + Fairall & Smith Dry Goods, Retail Prince William St. + Fairbanks & Co. Gilders King St. + Farrell, Michael Clothing Prince William St. + Ferguson, John C. Grocer and Auctioneer South Wharf. + Flood, Michael Builder Wentworth St. + Finn, M. A. Wines Water St. + Fisher, Samuel Shoemaker Charlotte St. + Flewelling, G. & G. Matches Water St. + Foley, H. T. Notions Duke St. + Foster, John Grocers and Liquors Prince William St. + Foster, S. K. Shoes Germain Street. + Foster, S. R. & Son Tacks North St. + Fleming, J. W. Liquors Britain St. + Francis, Manuel Shoes Prince William St. + Furlong, Thos. Wines Water St. + Fiske, Dr. J. M. C. Dentist King St. + Fitch, Dr. Simon Physician Princess St. + Firth, Wm. M. B. Wharfinger Walker's Wharf. + Frith, Henry W. Clerk of the Peace Princess St. + Fitzpatrick, F. G. S. Bonded Warehouse Nelson St. + Ferguson, Miss Gordon House King St. + + Gabel, Z. G. Rubber Goods Prince William St. + Gallagher & Young Coopers Ward St. + Gard, W. T. Manu. Jeweller Germain St. + Gerow, Geo. W. Ship-owner Prince William St. + Gibbon, W. H. Coal Mill St. + Gibson, W. C. Watch materials King St. + Gilbert, & Co. Merchants Prince William St. + Griffith, Dr. Jas. E. Dentist Germain St. + Gilmour, A. & T. Tailors Germain St. + Gleeson, Patk. Provisions South Mkt. Whf. + Griffin, Bros. Fish " " + Godard, J. W. Ship chandler North Whf. + Gorman, Thos. Provisions Ward St. + Grant, J. Macgregor Insurance Robertson Place. + Green, Nathan Cigars Prince William St. + Greenough, A. R. Saloon " " + Gould Bros. Dyers " " + Gunn, Thos. Tailor " " + Guthrie & Hevenor Bakers Charlotte St. + Gale, E. W. Insurance Prince William St. + Guy, Stewart & Co. Lumber Office, Water St. + Gardner Sewing Machine + Co. Princess St. + Gregory, Hugh S. Stevedore North Mk. Whf. + Grace, R. Umbrellas, etc. Princess St. + Gorrie, Henry Tailor " " + Gavin, P. Liquors Water St. + + Hall, David H. Sewing Machines Germain St. + Hill, Rowland & Co. Crockery Mkt. Square. + Hall & Fairweather Flour South Whf. + Hall, Thos. H. Books King St. + Hamilton, Lounsbury & + Co. Manufacturer's agents Germain St. + Hammond, E. P. Sewing machines King St. + Holden, Chas. Physician Princess St. + Hanford, Bros. Commission Nelson St. + Health Lift Co. R. J. Moffatt, agent Germain St. + Hanington, Bros. Drugs King St. + Hanington, Thos. B. Auctioneer Princess St. + Harding, Chas. E. Lumber yard Reed's Pt. + Harding, John H. Mining agent Prince William St. + Harrison, J. & W. F. Flour North Mk. Whf. + Harrison, Matthew Boots and shoes Prince William St. + Hart, S. H. Cigars " " + Hammond, John Shoemaker " " + Hatfield & Gregory Ship chandlers North Whf. + Hatheway, Dr. J. C. Dentist Germain St. + Hatheway, Dr. Can. " " + Hatheway, W. H. Fish + Hawker, W. Drugs Prince William St. + Hay, A. & J. Jewellers King St. + Hayes, Edw. Baker Mill St. + Hayward, S. & Co. Hardware Prince William St. + Hamilton & Gray Barbers " " + Hayward, W. H. Crockery " " + Hegan J. & J. & Co. Dry goods " " + Hevenor & Co. Brass-founders Water St. + Hillman, W. H. Silver-plater Charlotte St. + Hilyard, C. E. Commission North Whf. + Holstead & Co. Trunks Water St. + Holstead, John S. Stevedore " + Horn, John Liquors " + Hubbard, W. D. W. Auctioneer Canterbury St. + Hughes, John E. Custom House broker Prince William St. + Hunter, James Locksmith Princess St. + Hunter, Roger Printer Dock St. + Hutchings & Co Mattresses Germain St + Hutchinson, Geo Jr Jeweller " " + Hyke, R S International Hotel Prince William St + Hinch, James United States Hotel Charlotte St + Henderson, Jas D Fruit, etc. Princess St + Hancock, F M Fish St James's St + + Isbister, O R S Painter Dock St + Inches, Dr. P R Physician Germain St + Isaacs, Joseph Tobacco Mill St + Irvine, Bros. Grocers Germain St + + James, S K F Ship broker Walker's Whf + Jardine & Co Wholesale and retail + grocers Prince William St + Jarvis, C E L Insurance Princess St + Jarvis, Wm M " " " + Jack, Henry " Canterbury St + Jewellers' Hall King St + Jewett Bros Lumber Office, Water St + Jewett, E D & Co " " " + Johnston, James J Tailor King St + Jones, Simeon, & Co. Bankers Prince William St + Jones, Thos R & Co. Dry goods (wholesale) Canterbury St + Jones, Wm Tailor King Square + Jones, Mrs. Wm Florist Germain St + Jordan, Jas G Ship broker Lawton's Whf + Jordan, W W Dry goods Mkt Square + + Kivenear, Wm Liquors North St + Kearns, A G " Dock St + Kennedy, Jas Grocer South Whf + Kennay, E E. Organs, etc. Germain St + Keohan, Thos H Gilder " " + Kerr & Scott Dry goods Mkt Square + Kilnapp, Geo Shoemaker Germain St + King Bros Groceries Princess St + Kinnear Bros Commission Nelson St + Kirk, J T & Co. Clothing Mkt Square + Kirkpatrick, Hugh " King St + Knowles, S N Trunks Germain St + Kavanagh, M Liquors Dock St + Knox & Thompson Furniture Princess St + Knodell Geo A Printer Church St + Kaye J J & J S Insurance Princess St + Kain Mrs. Green grocer Prince William St + + Lumber Exchange H J Leonard, Sec Market Square + Larter, S Shoemaker Carmarthen St + Landry & Co Organs King St + Lantalum, E & Co Junk Union St + Lauckner, S J Baker Sydney St + Lawton, A G Drugs King St + Lawton, Edmund " Prince William St + Lawton, James Wharfinger Lawton's whf + Lawton, J. Fred Saw manuf North St + Lawton, W G Dry goods King St + Livingston, John Watchman office Canterbury St + Leach, Danl E Billiard saloon Charlotte St + Lee J W Stoves Princess St + Lee Mrs Intelligence office " " + Lee & Logan Grocers Dock St + Leonard, R J Ship broker Water St + Leonard, S & Co. Fish & ships Water St + Leonard, Robt. Sail maker Water St + Lester, E H Auctioneer King St + Lewin & Allingham Hardware Market Square + Leitch John & Co Woodenware Germain St + Lewis Wm B Ship smiths Britain St + Lipman, S & Son Cigars King St + Littlejohn, Thos Liquors North wharf + Lloyd & Co Coal Lloyd's wharf + Lockhart, W A Auctioneer North wharf + Logan, Lindsay & Co. Grocers King St + Lordly, Howe & Co. Furniture Germain St + Lorimer, J B Grocer Carmarthen St + Lorimer, Wm. " South wharf + Lunney, Thos. Clothier Dock St + Lunt, Enoch & Sons Steamboats Dock St + Lyman, C E Machinery agent Market square + Lear, James Manufacturer's agent King St + Lyons, Ann Second-hand store Germain St + Lawton, Benj Boat builder Nelson St + Lordly, Mrs Brunswick Hotel Prince William St + + McAllister, James Dentist Germain St + MacIntyre, R & Co Paint manufacturers Sydney St + Maclellan & Co Bankers Prince William St + Magee & Co J T Tinware " " " + Magee Bros Dry goods " " " + Malcolm, Andrew Grocer South wharf + Manson, Jas. Dry goods King St + Maritime Warehousing & + Dock Co. Office, North Whf + Maritime Bank Jas Domville, M.P., + President Mkt Square + Maritime Insurance Office Pr. Wm. St. + Co. Wm. Pugsley, Jr., Sec. + Maritime Sewing Machine + Co F S Sharpe Charlotte St + Marshall, Robt. Insurance agent Pr Wm St + Marsters, John F Custom-house broker " " " + Martin, Wm. Clothier Dock + Masters, A W Oils, &c Nelson + Masters & Patterson Provisions South Whf + Maxwell, Elliott & + Barclay Shipsmiths Nelson + Maxwell, H & Sons Lumber Britain + May, Jas S Tailor Pr Wm St + McAndrews, Robt Shoemaker Germain St + McAndrews, R jr Grocer King St + McArdle, Patk " Pr Wm St + Macfee, Wm Blacksmith Ward St + McAvity, Thos & Son Hardware Water St + McCafferty, Hugh Liquors North Whf + McAvenney, Dr A F Dentist Germain St + McCourt, Patrick Merchant North St + McCarthy, Timothy Coal Water St + McSweeney, John Shipowner Office, Union St + McClure, Jas & Co Photographers King St + McConnell, Jas Boots and shoes " + McCormack, Jas Clothing Ward St + McCulloch, H & H A Dry goods Mkt Sqr + McDonough, M Tailor Germain St + McDougall, John Cabinet-maker Mill St + McFarlane, John R Soap and candles " + McFeeters, W W Clothier Mkt Sqr + McGivern, R P Coal North Whf + McGill, L Shoes Mill St + McCoskery, C A Liquors Pr Wm St + McGovern, W F Hatter King St + McInnes, J A Tailor Princess St + McKenzie & Scott Stone cutters Charlotte St + McLachlan, D & Sons Boiler makers York Point Slip + McLauchlan, Chas & Son Ship-brokers Office, North Wharf + McLaughlan, D J Commission North Whf + McLean, Wm M Ship-broker Office, Peter's Whf + McLaren, L Physician Charlotte St + McLeod, Geo Merchant Water St + McMann, L & Sons W I goods Smyth St + McManus, J N Clothing Mkt Sqr + McMillan, J & A Booksellers & + stationers Prince Wm St + Masonic Hall Ritchie's build Princess St + McSorley, J Groceries & liquors Duke St + Melick, John Ship-broker Water St + Meneley, W Blockmaker Ward St + Merritt, E M Liquors Dock St + Merritt, Chas Capitalist Water St + Miller, J O Confectioner Charlotte St + Milligan, J & R Marble-cutters King Sq + Mills, Alf Chronometers Pr Wm St + Mitchell, John Carver + Mitchell, John Boots & shoes Pr Wm St + Moore, Wm Painter Germain St + Moore, Robt Auctioneer King St + Moore, Ellen Milliner King St + Morrisey, W C Undertaker Charlotte St + Morrisey, Patk Liquors Duke St + Morrison, Geo jr Grocer South Whf + Moulson, Jas Grocer Water St + Moynehan, Daniel Clothing Dock St + Mullin, Bros " Dock St + Mullin, J J " Prince William St + Mullin, John Boots and shoes King St + " " Liquors Dock St + Munroe, John J Trunks Princess St + McGinley, W Barber Canterbury St + McKillop & Johnston Printers " " + McKillop, John, & Co Geo Em Allen, agent Prince William St + McLeod, Ezekiel Official Assignee Princess St + McAvity, John D Grocer " " + Muldoon, E Liquors Duke St + McDonald & Hatfield Clothiers Dock St + McAleer, Mrs Liquors Duke St + Michaels, M Tobacconist Prince William St + Major, Wm Toys " " + + Nash, Thos AErated waters Dock St + New Brunswick Paper Co T P Davies, manager Canterbury St + Nicholson, J W Wines Robertson Place + Nicoud, Simon Jeweller Germain St + Nixon, Geo Glass and paper + hangings King St + Noble, Geo A Boot-maker Canterbury St + Notman, W & J Photographers Germain St + Normansell, H S Victualler Duke St + + O'Brien, Richard Liquors Germain St + O'Gorman, John Groceries and liquors Dock St + Olive, W H Ticket agent Office, Prince Wm St. + O'Regan, Chas Ship broker Office, South Whf + O'Connor, T J Boarding-house South Whf + Osgood, S P Marble-worker King Square + Oulton, Bros Ship-broker Office, Water St + Oddfellows' Hall Germain St + Odell, Mrs Fancy boxes King St + O'Hara, Chas Barber Mill St + + Provincial Building + Society C W Wetmore, Pres Prince William St + Paddock, M V Drugs Mill St + Partelow, C J Liquors South Whf + Partelow, G L " Ward St + Patterson, W H Jeweller King St + Patton Bros Liquors Water St + Patton, Danl Liquors Dock St + Peiler, E & Bro Piano dealers Prince William St + Pengilly, T M Drugs " " " + Pengilly Oil-clothes " " " + Percival, Purchase & Co Fancy goods King St + Peters, Albert Tanner Britain St + Peters, Thos W Capitalist Prince William St + Phillips, Miss S Hair worker Germain St + Philps, Geo Banker Prince William St + Potter, C E Painter Germain St + Potts, J W Grocer Water St + Powers, M N Undertaker Princess St + Powers, Stephen Liquor Mill St + Price, James Tailor Princess St + Prichard & Son Iron Merritt's wharf + Pullen, James H Painter Charlotte St + Purchase, Wm Watchmaker Dock St + Provincial Ins Co H H Reeve, agent Princess St + Pattison, Geo Tinsmith Church St + Purdy, Wm H Shipowner Maritime Bank + + Quick, Augustus Ship Chandler Water St + Quinn, P J Dry goods Market Square + Quinn, Wm Blocks Britain St + + Rankine, Thos & Sons Bakery Mill St + Ranney, H R Insurance Prince William St + Reeve, H H " Princess St + Ray, Chas R Agent Market Square + Raymond, Thos F Royal Hotel Prince William St + Redmond, P C Clothier Market Square + Reid, Miss Kate Boarding + Reed, J & R Shipowners Water St + Reed, Thos. M Drugs Market Square + Richardson, Alex & Co Saw manufacturers Union St + Ring, Z Shipowner Maritime Bank + Ring, Allan M Homoeopathic Phys Germain St + Rising, Wm Grocer South wharf + Risk, John Broker Nelson St + Richards, John Liquors Prince William St + Roberts, D V Ship chandler Water St + Robertson, C A Livery Stables King's Square + Rodgers, James Liquors Charlotte St + Robertson & Corbett Grocers, retl King St + Robertson, D D & Co Ship brokers Smyth St + Robertson, Geo Whs grocer Water St + Robertson, Le Baron Cigars Prince William St + Robertson, R & Son Sailmakers, &c Water St + Robinson, C & Co Undertakers Princess St + Robinson, C E Shipbroker Reed's Point + Robinson, T. W. Salt, W I Goods Union St + Roop, John Sailmaker Water St + Ross, John Saloon Prince William St + Rogers, John Tailor Prince William St + Ring, G Fred Commission Maritime Bank + Rowan, Archd Gasfitter Water St + Ruggles, St Clair Grocer Charlotte St + Runciman, John Gasfitter Water St + Rural Cemetery Co G Sidney Smith, Sec Princess St + Russell, J H Hotel King St + Rolph, A P Agent Duke St + + St John Gas Light Co A Blair, Pres Carmarthen St + " Halifax + Lithograph Co L D Clark, Manager Church St + " Mutual Ins Co O D Wetmore, Sec Princess St + " Building Soc C N Skinner, Pres Prince William St + " Board of Trade S J King, Sec Market Square + Salmon, Geo Variety King St + Sancton, G F Tugboats Office, Water St + Salmon & Cameron Photos King St + Scammell Bros Ship-brokers Water St + Scammell, C E, & Co Ship chandlers " " + Schofield & Beer Produce Walker's Whf + Schofield, Samuel Ship owner Office, Prince William + St + Scott & Binning Dry Goods King St + Scott, Geo A Provisions & groceries Prince William St + Scott, T A Saloon Charlotte St + Seely, A McL Merchant Germain St + Seely, D J Comm, etc Water St + Sharkey, P & Son Clothiers King St + Sharp & Co Dry Goods " + Sharp, Laban L Jeweller " + Sheraton & Skinner Carpets Prince William St + Skinner, F S Grocer King St + Small & Hatheway Steamboats Office, Dock St + Small's Hall Dock St + Smith, A Chipman Drugs Market Square + Smith, Geo F & Co Ship chandlers North Whf + Smith, H R Bookseller King St + Smith, Wm Ship-smith + Snider, G E Auctioneer Robertson Place + Sparrow, Geo Saloon King St + Spence, W A Hay York Point Slip + Stafford, Jno W Liquors Ward St + Spring Hill Mining Co Coal Office, Water St + Starr, R P & W F " Smyth St + Steeves Bros Merchants Prince William St + Stephens & Figgures Grocers Dock St + Stephenson & McGibbon Lumber Office, North Whf + Stephenson & McLean Provisions, etc North Whf + Stephenson, Robt Boots and shoes Prince William St + Stewart, Geo, jr Chemist King St + Spencer & Wortman Patent Medicines Church St + Stewart, John Grocer Carmarthen St + Stewart, Luke Shipbroker North wharf + Stewart, Robt Toys Germain St + Stewart & White Furniture and + Auctioneers Prince William St + Storey, J K Dry Goods King St + Strang, Saml Commission South wharf + Street, A L B Wines Princess St + Suffren, Geo Jewelry King St + Sweeney, John Boots & Shoes Prince William St + Swift & Johnson Painters Church St + Saunders, James Boots and shoes King St + Street, W W Stadacona Ins Co Prince William St + + Temperance Hall King St + Talbert, A J Dry Goods Dock St + Taylor Bros Shipowners Prince William St + Taylor & Dockrill Grocers King St + Taylor J M Commission North wharf + Tennant, R H B Shirt mfr Prince William St + Thomas, Geo Shipbroker Water St + Thomas, Geo E Adjuster " " + Thompson, G F & Sons Paint mfrs Princess St + Thompson, Richd Fancy goods Market Square + Thomson, Wm & Co Shipbrokers Smyth Street + Thorne, W H & Co Hardware Canterbury St + Thurgar & Russell Liquors North wharf + Tippett, A P Manufacturers' agent Water St + Toll, James Fisherman Water St + Troop & McLauchlan Ship chandlers Water St + Troop & Son Ship owners Water St + Trueman, James Grocer South wharf + Tufts, Francis Provisions, &c " " + Tufts, H K Boots & shoes Prince William St + Tufts, Samuel Grocer Germain St + Turnbull & Co Flour, &c Ward St + Turnbull, J E Sash factory Main St + Turner, James D Oysters Water St + Turner, Joshua S Fruit " " + Thompson, Mrs Annie Boarding house Germain St + Travers, B Physician Sydney St + + Valpey, J H Shoe mfr Prince William St + Vassie, Jno & Co Dry Goods whs Canterbury St + Vaughan & Donovan Boots & shoes Princess St + Vaughan, J R Boots & shoes Prince William St + Venning, J H Engraver Germain St + Vroom & Arnold Ship-brokers Water St + + Ward, Wm M Liquors Charlotte St + Walker, Jno & Co Ship chandlers Walker's wharf + Walton, Wm Crockery King St + Waterbury, Wm Hardware King St + Waterhouse, L H Coal North wharf + Watson, A C Fruit Water St + Watson, W C Shipbroker Nelson St + Watson, W H Groceries & liquors King St + Watson & Co Books " " + Watts & Turner Dry Goods Market Square + Webb, W E Cordage Smyth St + Welch, Richd Tailor Germain St + Wetzell, R Ice-dealer Prince William St + Walsh, M & Son Boots & shoes Reed's Pt + Wetmore, C W Broker Prince William St + White, G & V S Merchants North wharf + White, James E Stock broker Prince William St + White, Thos Confectioner Germain St + White & Slipp Flour North wharf + Wheeler, Miss Boarding Charlotte St + White & Titus Flour, etc North Whf + Whiting, G H Agent Canterbury St + Whiting, W J Flour, etc South Whf + Warn, Wm & Son Barbers King St + Willis, E, & Co Paper Collar Manufs Canterbury St + Willis & Mott "Morning News" " " + Wilson, Gilmour & Co Mantels Prince William St + Wilson, J N Liquors Church St + Wisdom & Fish Machinery Prince William St + Wishart, John Merchant Walker's Whf + Wetmore, E J Flock Manuf North St + Wills & Rubins Ship-smiths Water St + Woodworth, J L Agent Mispeck Mills " + Weiscoff, Jacob Liquors Prince William St + Walker, Thos Physician Princess St. + + Young, Adam Stoves Water St + Yeats, A, & Sons Iron Union St + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + The Odd Fellows and the Fire--Relief Committee at Work--Searching + out the Destitute Brethren--Helping the Sufferers--The Secret + Distribution of Aid--List of Donations. + + +The Society of Oddfellows is a Mutual Relief Association, one of the +first duties of its members being to search out worthy and distressed +brethren, and relieve their necessities. The member who neglects to +carry out this noble principle, violates his obligation. The order has +obtained a strong foothold in the city, and many benevolent men have +joined it that they might thereby be actively instrumental in doing good +to their fellowmen. The brother who suffers, and whose family requires +assistance meets with no obstacle in his way, for a liberal hand almost +as unseen as those blessings which come to us disguised, is near, he +receives the offerings of his companions, not as charity, but as his +due. He is an Oddfellow, and that talismanic word is all sufficient. In +_his_ time he had helped many. When his turn comes the same rule is +observed. The mode of giving relief is twice blessed. It is done in +secret, and without ostentatious parade. No member ever deems his spirit +crushed when he takes aid like this to his family. And no widow, however +proud, thinks for a moment that she is accepting alms, when her +immediate and other wants are supplied from the "Widows' and Orphans'" +Fund. So anxious are the members to have it thoroughly understood that +the aid that is given is not that which is known as charity by the +outside world, but is the legitimate due of the Oddfellow, that it is +expressly laid down, that no member, however well circumstanced he may +be, can refuse the sums which are from time to time placed at his +disposal. If he be sick he receives weekly a sick benefit allowance. +This he is bound to take. He may if he choose, it is true, donate it +back to any fund he likes, but it is preferred that this should not +occur. In addition to money benefits the order provides something else +which is more enduring than money, and which cannot be bought at any +price. The member is no sooner sick than he finds a warm-hearted brother +by his side, eagerly trying to interpret his wants, and perform some +little act of kindness that may perhaps assuage his pain for a time. In +a hundred ways this excellent society does good. The distressed are +relieved, the sick are watched over, and the dead are buried. Where it +is necessary, the brethren sit up during the night with the patient, and +in a thousand ways the good work goes on. + +Up to the present time no calamity has disturbed the prosperity of the +Order in the Province. Indeed, on the contrary, its career has been +wonderfully successful. The different lodges have grown prosperous, and +the two principal funds, the "Widows' and Orphans'," and the "sick +benefit," have for some time had quite a respectable balance at their +banker's. These still remain intact, and are held strictly in trust to +enable the ends of the society to be carried out when required. The +recent fire, of course, destroyed a considerable amount of the property +belonging to the organization; but the actual suffering was confined to +the private members of the order. Many of these endured great hardships, +and met with reverses of no ordinary kind. Men who had all their lives +helped others, now found themselves in a moment dependent on their +friends for relief for pressing needs. They had saved nothing from the +burning, and some of them who were insured had trusted to offices which +went down with the general crash. The result was immediately apparent. +Something had to be done and at once. Their distressed and harassed +members must be relieved. The whole tenets of the order demanded this. +The common humanity which dwells in the hearts of so many members cried +out to the afflicted ones, "Your loss is ours; we are ready to divide +with you." A meeting of the leading members was had on the 22nd June, at +the Oddfellow's Hall, Town of Portland, and steps were taken for the +administration of immediate relief. The same spirit which actuated the +brethren here seemed to prompt the members abroad to deeds which can +never be forgotten while a Lodge or an Encampment exists. The chairman +of the meeting, D. D. G. M. Murdoch, on the evening of Friday, announced +to the assembly that the Lodge in Moncton had generously contributed +$25, and asked to be drawn on to the extent of one hundred dollars, and +Brother White, of Bangor, had forwarded the handsome sum of three +hundred dollars, and offered more if needed. Offers of assistance came +from Boston, Chicago and elsewhere. These tidings were received with +great joy by the members. They knew now of the sympathy which was felt +for them abroad, and their first duty was the organization of an +Executive Committee. This was done on motion of Bro. Vradenburgh and one +member from each Lodge, and the Encampment were appointed such +Committee. These were N. G. McClure, of "Siloam," N. G., Court of +"Peerless," N. G., Torrance, of "Beacon," N. G., Hea, of "Pioneer," and +Henry Hilyard, chairman of Portland Town Council, of the Encampment, +together with Bros. Gilbert Murdoch, and Rev. G. M. W. Carey. A +sub-committee was subsequently appointed on the recommendation of Bros. +Vradenburgh and Kilpatrick, whose duties it would be to seek out and +report to the Executive Committee any brother they found to be in +distress. This Committee was very judiciously selected, and comprised +the following gentlemen: R. R. Barnes, James Byers and J. Rubbins, for +Beacon Lodge; H. A. Vradenburgh, W. A. Moore, and Alex. Duff, for +Peerless Lodge; F. Barnes, Hamon and A. J. Smith, for Siloam Lodge; and +John E. Hughes, J. A. Paul, and Jos. Wilson, for Pioneer Lodge. Action +was then taken on the telegrams received, and a committee was appointed +to attend to the replying of the same, and the transmission of the +thanks of the St. John Oddfellows to their brethren in the United States +and Canada. + +The Executive and sub-Committees held a meeting immediately after the +session of the General Body, and the following officers were appointed: +D. D. G. M. Gilbert Murdoch, Chairman; R. Radford Barnes, Treasurer; +and John E. Hughes, Secretary. The meeting then adjourned, and all +future sessions of committee were ordered to take place in Room No. 9, +Park Hotel, where the three heads of the Department of Relief would hold +daily meetings, receive reports, and supply all assistance needed by the +brethren. The system has worked admirably. The greatest secrecy has been +observed, and no one outside of the Committee know even the names of the +brethren who are being helped in the hour of need. The greatest care is +being exercised in searching out distress, and no one can ever tell the +immense amount of good which this society is doing. Relief from Lodges +and brethren continue to come in rapidly, and all moneys are deposited +in Maclellan & Co.'s banking house, and subject to withdrawal by check. +Up to this time, Aug. 20th, the following sums have been received.-- + + Moncton, N.B., Prince Albert Lodge $100 00 + Bangor, Maine, Oddfellows 400 00 + Boston, Mass, Howard Lodge 100 00 + Charlottetown, P. E. I. 250 00 + Summerside, P. E. I., Prince Edward Lodge 100 00 + Fredericton, N.B., Victoria Lodge 320 00 + Ontario, Grand Lodge, per J. B. King 400 00 + Cannington, Ontario, Peaceful Hope Lodge 50 00 + Pictou, N.S., Eastern Star Lodge 200 00 + Memphis, Tenn. 300 00 + Chicago, Ill. 500 00 + Montreal, Quebec, Mizpah Lodge 50 00 + Haverhill, Maine, Mutual Relief Lodge 100 00 + Oldtown, Maine, Torratine Lodge 115 00 + Dover, Maine, Kineo Lodge 50 00 + Brampton, Ontario, Golden Star Lodge 50 00 + Portland, Maine, Oddfellows 487 00 + Oshawa, Ontario, Corinthian Lodge 50 00 + Chicago, Ill., Northern Light Lodge 10 00 + Portland, N.B., Peerless Lodge 140 00 + Stratford, Ontario, Aaron Lodge 25 00 + Granville Ferry, N.S., Guiding Star Lodge 30 00 + Goderich, Ontario, Huron Lodge 80 00 + Spring Hill, N.S., Eureka Lodge 50 00 + Petitcodiac, N.B., E. J. Ritchie 1 00 + Woonsocket, R. I., Palestine Encampment 10 00 + Lewiston, Maine, Golden Rule Lodge 125 00 + Belleville, Ontario, Belleville Lodge 50 00 + Stellarton, N.S., Fuller Lodge 50 00 + Vale Colliery, N.S., Moore Lodge 50 00 + Staynor, Ontario, North Star Lodge 30 00 + Eureka, California, Humboldt Lodge 50 00 + Toronto, Canada Lodge 50 00 + Rhode Island, per J. F. Driscoll 200 00 + St. Catharines, Ont., Union Lodge 100 00 + + +SUPPLIES. + + Charlottetown, P. E. I., Bedding and Provisions. + Portland, Maine, 4 cases Clothing + + +LIST OF DONATIONS. + + +MONEY RECEIVED. + + Amherst, N S $500 00 + Augusta, Me 1000 00 + Annapolis, N S 554 00 + Accident Ins Co, Canada 200 00 + Aberfoyle, Ontario 200 00 + Armstrong, Ed (New York) 5 00 + Albert Mines, N B 115 00 + Ayer, Ontario 200 00 + Attleboro', Mass, Methodist S School 15 00 + Arichat, N S 367 00 + Boston 5000 00 + Boston Felt-roofing Co 100 00 + Bank of British North America 2433 33 + Bathurst, N B 400 00 + Brantford, Ont 1000 00 + Brockville, Ont 500 00 + Bath, Me 1300 00 + Bayside, St Andrews, N B 90 00 + Brockville, Midland Counties 200 00 + Brookville, N S 5 23 + Bell, Mr., Dublin, Ireland 486 67 + Boardman, Gorham, New York 100 00 + Boynton High School Children, Eastport, Me 2 38 + Bangor, Me 7000 00 + Beveridge, B. & Sons, Andover, N B 100 00 + Bridgetown, N S 393 92 + Bridgetown, Me., Congregational Church 14 65 + Bowmanville, Ont 300 00 + Beder, S, New York 4 00 + Bucksport, Me 320 00 + Billing, W W, New London, Conn 100 00 + Burt & Henshaw, Boston 50 00 + Buffalo Board of Trade 332 68 + Buffalo School Children 1000 00 + Borgan, Capt, ship "Tros" 5 00 + Baltimore, Md 541 97 + Boston, Theatre Benefit 886 03 + Belfast, Me 524 00 + Bowman, J L, Brownsville, Penn 25 00 + Blanchard, Chas, Truro, N S 10 00 + Boyd, John E, Three Rivers, Quebec 10 00 + Baird, John, & Co's Employes, Alamonte 13 00 + Berlin, Ontario 300 00 + Chicago Union Stock Yards 1200 00 + Chicago Clearing House 1000 00 + Chicago Produce Exchange 1000 00 + Chicago Board of Trade 5274 10 + Chicago City 10,000 00 + Charlottetown, P E I 5000 00 + Canning, N S 279 90 + Clarke, Dodge & Co, N Y 250 00 + Canada Screw Co, Dundas, Ont 200 00 + Canada Life Ins Co 500 00 + Crerar, Capt W G, Pictou, N S 50 00 + Carleton County Council, N B. 1000 00 + Clarke, Ontario, Municipality of 400 00 + Campbell, J W, Chicago, Ill 50 00 + Commercial Union Ins Co 2500 00 + Citizen's Hose Co, St Catharines, Ont 200 00 + Carmody, Rev Canon, Windsor, N S 10 00 + Caton, Judge, Ottawa, Ill 50 00 + Campbellton, N B 147 00 + Clifton, Ont 300 00 + Chatham, N B 700 00 + Crain, Marshall, Brunswick, Me 25 00 + Chatham, Ont 500 00 + Chatham, Ont, Masonic Concert 169 18 + Clinton, Me, Masonic Service 53 00 + Cornwall, Ont 300 00 + Dominion Government 20,000 00 + Dorchester, N B 615 00 + Digby, N S 700 00 + Dalhousie, N B 200 00 + Dublin, Lord Mayor of 486 67 + Dover, Me 245 75 + Detroit, Mich 1000 00 + Dominion Organ Co, Bowmanville, Ont 102 00 + Dungannon, Ont., Orangemen 29 10 + Elliot National Bank, Boston 647 00 + Eldon, Ont 500 00 + Fredericton, N B 8000 00 + Fuller & Fuller, Chicago 50 00 + Flanagan, R J, Newcastle, N B 5 00 + Fredericton Lime Rock Church 24 00 + Fowler J & G, Charlottetown, P E I 100 00 + Fox J J, Magdalen Islands, per J V Ellis 25 00 + Galt, Ont 500 00 + Guelph, Ont 1000 00 + Garringe, Wm, Chicago 4 25 + Glasgow, Scotland 14,600 00 + Grand Rapids "friend" 1 00 + Guysborough, N S 121 00 + Grace Church, Detroit, Mich 97 42 + Gloucester, Mass 100 00 + Grey County Council, Ont 500 00 + Galt Churches 674 17 + Grant, Capt I I F, Bermuda 5 00 + Halifax, N S Bay 1 08 + Halifax, N S 10,000 00 + Hawson, John Gloucester 5 00 + Hallowell 500 00 + Hamilton, Ont 13,900 00 + Hamilton, C C, Cornwallis, N S 5 00 + Harvey N B 15 00 + Halifax Garrison 564 71 + House of Commons, Ottawa 1000 00 + House of Commons Clerks 150 00 + Harrington Methodist E C, Me 20 00 + Howe Scale Co 250 00 + Hillsboro, N B 60 00 + Haldimand 200 00 + Hartford, Conn 42 00 + Imperial Fire Ins Co 2433 33 + Johnson, John C, 250 00 + International Mines, N S 100 00 + Kingston, Ont 1584 00 + Knox Church, Hamilton Ont 100 00 + Knox Church, Woodstock, N B 185 25 + Liverpool, England 14,600 00 + London, Ont 5000 00 + Lawrence, Mass 500 00 + Liverpool, N S 819 27 + Lynn, Ont, Presbyterian Church 20 20 + Londonderry, N S 15 00 + Lincoln Methodist E Church 5 00 + Lincoln, Me 500 00 + Louisburg, C B 27 00 + Lawrencetown, "from a friend" 10 00 + Lewiston, Me 500 00 + Meahan, T, Boston 5 00 + Moncton, N B 1300 00 + Mount Vernon, Iowa, "friend" 1 00 + Malden, Mass Congregational Church, 15 26 + Maritime Association, New York 6800 00 + Manchester, England 3660 00 + Magee, Thos, Baie Verte 50 00 + Mongaup Valley N Y, per Rev. W Ferrie 33 30 + McIntosh, J S, Boston 50 00 + McLean, Rev. James, Londonderry, N S 2 00 + New York, Providence and Stonington Line 500 00 + New York 8500 00 + Newcastle and Douglastown, N B 1000 00 + North Sydney 400 00 + New Haven Chamber of Commerce 823 76 + Nutting, G. S. Newton Mass 1 00 + New Glasgow, N S 1000 00 + North British and Mercantile Ins Co 2433 33 + New Bedford, Mass 500 00 + New York Stock Exchange 772 50 + Norwich, Ontario 100 00 + Nantucket Women 50 00 + Odell, D S, Eastport, Me 10 00 + Ottawa Custom House Officials 180 00 + Orillia, St James' Church 20 00 + Oak Park, Chicago, Ill 100 00 + Philadelphia 5500 00 + Parrsboro, N S 100 00 + Portland, Maine 6000 00 + Peterboro', Ontario 3124 00 + Palmer & Embury, New York 50 00 + Paris, Ontario 600 00 + Pictou, N S 1232 46 + Port Hope, Ontario 1034 20 + Port Latour, N S 68 27 + Portsmouth, N.H 697 00 + Peel County Council, Ontario 1000 00 + Rogers, J H, Boston 100 00 + Rice, N W & Co, Boston 100 00 + Richibucto, N B 410 00 + Rosamond Woollen Co 50 00 + Raymond, Percy J, Hebron, Yarmouth 1 00 + River John, Pictou Co, N S 381 50 + Rogers' Hill, N S 40 36 + Sarnia, Ontario 1050 00 + St Andrews, N B 650 00 + Sayer & Co, Cognac, France 200 00 + Sackville, N B 312 58 + Smith, Mrs M W, Ipswich, Mass 25 00 + Sherbrooke, Ont 1000 00 + St George, N B 200 00 + Summerside, P E I 1500 00 + St Thomas, Ontario 500 00 + San Francisco, "Caledonia Club" 500 00 + San Francisco 5600 00 + Salem, Mass 770 00 + St Catharines, Ont 500 00 + Sargent Ignatius, Machias, Me 25 00 + Springhill Mines 200 00 + Sternberg, J H, Penn 25 00 + Shediac, N B, Amateur Comedy Club 11 00 + St Martin's, N B 302 62 + St Clements, Annapolis 20 00 + Springfield, Mass, Children 14 00 + Storer & Son, Glasgow, Scotland 121 76 + St Matthew's Church, Quebec 100 00 + Stratford, Ontario 564 00 + Sons of Temperance, Detroit, Michigan 300 00 + Toronto, Ontario 20,000 00 + Truro, N S 2000 00 + Todd, Edw & Co, per J & A McMillan 25 00 + Trites, J S, Sussex, N B 8 00 + Thurlow F, per A C Smith 85 00 + Titus, Erastus 25 00 + Telegraph Operator, St John 5 00 + Thamesville 2 00 + Uniacke, R J, Annapolis, N S 36 20 + Victoria Municipality, N B 200 00 + "Valley City" Lodge I O O F, Dundas, Ontario 105 00 + Whitby, Ontario 200 00 + Williston, Edward, Newcastle, N B 50 00 + Windsor, N S 4287 32 + Woodstock, N B 200 00 + " " Methodist Church 30 00 + W C B & G H F, Custom House, Ottawa 2 00 + Weymouth East, N S Congregational Sunday School 20 00 + Welland Co, Ontario 600 00 + Westmoreland Coal Company, Philadelphia 100 00 + Walker, J & Co, Montreal 250 00 + Wilkins, Judge, of Nova Scotia 80 00 + Wentworth Co, Ontario 1000 00 + Waterloo Council 200 00 + Walker & Sons, Hiram 200 00 + Yarmouth, N S 836 73 + York County Council, Ontario 3000 00 + + +SENT TO MESSRS. DANIEL & BOYD FOR DISTRIBUTION. + + W W Turnbull, Esq, St John, $200 + G N Vanwart, Esq, Woodstock 100 + Daniel Hawkesworth, Esq, Digby 20 + B Rosamond, Esq, Almonte, Ont. 50 + Messrs. Loch & Co., New York 50 + Messrs. James McLaren Nephews, Manchester L100 Stg + Messrs. Marshall & Aston, Manchester 50 Stg + + +SENT TO JOHN BOYD, ESQ, FOR DISTRIBUTION. + + James H Moran, Esq, St John, $100 + Hon. Isaac Burpee, 100 + Thos. Furlong, Esq, 50 + Canada Life Assurance Co. 500 + Thomas Nelson & Son, Edinburgh L50 Stg + This last through Dr. Rand, for teachers + Clothing from St Andrews Church, Montreal, by + Rev. Gavin Lang, value $280 + George Sloane, Esq, New York U S C 50 + Sent to Thos. Maclellan, Esq, from the Upper + Canada Bible Society, the Scriptures to the + value of 500 + Liberal offers of books were sent to J & A + McMillan, to form the nucleus of a public + library, from the publishing houses of + Belford Bros, Toronto; Harper & Bros, + New York. + I Atwood Barnes, of New Haven, Conn, sends + through Gen. Warner 29 + Capt. Ezekiel Jones, of Baltimore, sends + by Thos S Adams, 50 + From Charlotte Co, N B, Bocabec, $41 75, + Elmville, Dig'deguash, $21 40, Bay Side, + $41 10, Waweig, $16. 120 + W & T Spink, Duffin's Creek, Ont, send + through Hall & Fairweather 50 + Mrs A Robinson, of Fredericton Junction, on + behalf of the ladies of that place sends, + through Everitt & Butler, a parcel of + children's underclothing. + + +SUPPLIES RECEIVED. + + Amherst, N S, Supplies to value of $600 00 + Annapolis, N S, Supplies 742 37 + "Argus" H M S, by order of Admiral, provisions + Adams, Mrs Robt, Fall River, N Y, clothing + Alberton, P E I, supplies + Andover, N B, provisions + Andrews, A A, clothing + Avard, Wm, Botsford, N B, pork + Boston, Per "Gallatin" 2 cargoes supplies + Boston, Per W S MacFarlane, supplies + " Per Schr "G. G. Jewett," supplies, clothing, blankets. + Burnham & Morrill, Portland, Me, provisions + Barnard, E A & Sons, Calais, Me, provisions + Burns & Murray, Halifax, N S, supplies + Bridgetown, N S, clothing + Bangor, Me, supplies + Beals, Thos P, Portland, Me, spring-beds + Beer, E & W, Charlottetown, P E I, clothing + Boston, Y M C A, supplies + Billings & Wetmore, tea + Blouchard, Chas, Truro, N S, supplies + Bowmanville Ladies, clothing + Baird, John & Co, Almonte, clothing + Bowmanville, Ontario, 1 case clothing + + Chicago Union Stockyards supplies to amount $3000 00 + Charlottetown, P E I, supplies and clothing + Charlottetown, P E I, ladies, 2 cases clothing + Cummings, Wm & Sons, Truro, N S, supplies + Calkin, B H, Kentville, N S, clothing + Christian Temperance Union, Moncton, N B, three cases clothing + Cowdry, E T & Co, Boston, Mass, supplies + County Line, P E I, supplies + Christie, Brown & Co, Toronto, supplies + Campbellton, N B, supplies + Coats, J P, Chicago, clothing + Chatham, N B, supplies + Cambridge Queen's Co, N B, 47 Blankets + Crawford, Jas, & Co, Toronto, supplies + + Dorchester, N B supplies + Derring, Milliken & Co, Portland, Me, two cases blankets + Digby, N S, supplies + Darling, Adam, Montreal, supplies + Dover, Me, supplies + + Ellsworth, Me, ladies seven packages clothing + Fredericton, N B, two cases cooked provisions + Fredericton, ladies, five cases clothing + Fredericton, N B, large quantities supplies + Fletcher & Co, Portland, Me, provisions + + Galbraith, Christie & Co, Toronto, supplies + + Halifax, N S, 2525 blankets + Halifax, N S, large quantities supplies + Halifax, N S, 50 stoves + Halifax, N S, ladies' committee, supplies + Humphreys, N, Petitcodiac, N B, supplies + Herritt, T, " " supplies + Heney, A, New York, supplies + Hampton, N B, supplies + Hallowell, clothing + Harris, J & C, Moncton, supplies + Hay, R & Co, Toronto, carload bedsteads + Hillsborough, N B, supplies + Harvey, N B, supplies + Howe Spring Bed Co, New York, 50 beds + Jennings & Clay, Halifax, clothing + Jones, D F, & Co, Gananoque, Ont, supplies + Jodoin & Co, Montreal, 15 stoves + Kentville, N S, supplies + Lockport, N S, clothing + Lewis, J T, & Co, Portland, Me, clothing + Lawrencetown, N S, 29 packages clothing + Lawrencetown, N S, J W James, clothing + Leavitt, F A, Portland, Me, one tent + Leath & Gore, Portland, Me, 16 boxes soap + Londonderry, N S, supplies + Lewis, W N, Boston, one gross liniment + Lukeman, John R, Salem, Mass, supplies + Lugsden, J & J, Toronto, 25 straw hats + Moncton, N B, supplies + Montreal, per Hon P Mitchell, 17 carloads supplies + Montreal, large quantity supplies + Montreal, 36 packages clothing + Milltown, N B, provisions + Moss, S H & J, Montreal, 2 cases clothing + Malone Bay, clothing + McGuiness, P, & Co, Montreal, one bale blankets + McLean & Blaikie, Londonderry, N S, supplies + New York, supplies + Newcastle & Donglastown, N B, supplies + North Sydney, cargo of coal + New Haven United Workers, clothing + Norcross, Miller & Lee, Boston, clothing + Ottawa Ladies' Committee, supplies + O'Brien, James, Montreal, clothing + Portland, Maine, large quantities supplies + Primrose & Co, J W M, Halifax, 5 barrels flour + Power, J F & Co, Montreal, 50 barrels flour + Paul, M L, Syracuse, supplies + Pierce, E, and Co, per "Gallatin," furniture + Piper, Henry, Toronto, supplies + Philadelphia Maritime Exchange, clothing + Quebec, supplies + Quincy, Ill, 50 barrels meal and 50 barrels flour + Riddell, John, Montreal, clothing + St. Andrews, N B, supplies + Sackville, N B, supplies + " " stoves + Shaw Bros, St John, N B, bread + Scotch Bakery, St John, N B, bread + Sussex, N B, 1 carload provisions + Smith, Mrs. M W, Ipswich, Mass, supplies + Saratoga, N Y, supplies + Salem, Mass, supplies and clothing + Salem, Mass, "Fraternity," clothing + Salem Y M C A, supplies + Shediac, N B, supplies + Stewart, C J, Amherst, N S, supplies + St Clements, Annapolis, N S, supplies + Saratoga Springs, N Y, clothing + Toronto, Ontario, large quantity of supplies + Toronto Ladies' Committee, quantity of supplies + Tupper, Hon Chas, C B, Toronto, supplies + Toronto Coal Mining Co, 250 tons coal + Temple, Mrs, Fredericton, N B, clothing + True, Geo W, Portland, Me, 5 barrels flour and 5 barrels meal + Thompson & Bligh, Halifax, N S, supplies + Truro, N S, supplies + Thurston, Hall & Co, Cambridgeport, Mass, 5 bls flour + Unitarian Parish, Portsmouth, N H, clothing + Upper Canada Furniture Co, Bowmanville, 50 bedsteads + Upper Clarence, N S, Supplies + Unitarian Society of Dedham, Mass, supplies + Upper Canada Trundle Bed Co, beds + Vincent & McFate, St John, shoes and slippers + Wetmore Bros, London, Ontario, 20 bls oil + Wilson Packing Co, New York, 50 cases beef + Woodstock, N B, per Connell & Hay, supplies + Woodstock, N B, supplies + Wolfville, N S, clothing and supplies + Warman Bros, London, Ontario, 20 bls flour + Waterman, Bros., London, Out., 20 bls oil + Woodcock, A, Toronto, supplies + Yarmouth, N S, supplies + Y. M. C. Union, Boston, 6 cases clothing + + +THE PROPERTY OWNERS. + +The following is a list of persons whose properties were destroyed. +Where the number of houses owned by each is more than one, it is so +stated: + + +NORTH MARKET SLIP. + + Heirs Dougald McLauchlin + G Sidney Smith + Heirs R L Hazen + G W Gerow + + +NORTH STREET. + + Wm Kievenar (2) + + +SMYTH STREET. + + Geo Moore + Heirs P McManus + P McCourt + P McDevitt + Thos Sheehan + Peter Bone + Mrs Kievenar + Maloney + D Rooney + J Dunlop + J C Brown estate + Heirs Chas Brown + Margaret S Robertson (6) + Mrs Espy + + +DRURY LANE. + + Mrs Ann Leonard + Heirs John Ansborough + John Allen + Wm County + Jas Morrow + John Donovan + Heirs Henry Graham (2) + Heirs Thos Daley + Heirs Helen O'Leary + Thos Hourihan + Ed Mullin (2) + John Holland + Catherine Healy + Margaret McCarron + Heirs John Bryden + +MILL STREET. + + Mrs Mary Ann Carleton + W Finn + Robert Grace (2) + John Lloyd (2) + Heirs John Frost + Heirs E Lawrence + Thos A Rankine + Thos A and Alex Rankine + John Bellony + Thos A Peters (2) + Mrs Ann Leonard + A G Kearns + John Allen + J Brittain + James Morrow + John Ryan + Ed Hayes + + +GEORGES STREET. + + Heirs Peter Sinclair + Thos A and Alex Rankine + Michael Burke + S R Foster + Michael Dineen + Heirs Wm Sullivan (2) + + +DOCK STREET. + + John McSweeney (2) + John O'Gorman + Heirs B Ferguson + Johanna R Ritchie + Heirs F W Hatheway + Heirs Wm Hammond + James Dever + Heirs John Stanton + Henry Melick + Heirs John Melick + Robt Robertson + Heirs Hugh Johnston + Thomas Parks (2) + Heirs ---- Robertson + W F Butt + Otis Small + J W & G H Lawrence + Trustees Varley School + R Grace (2) + S J & W D Berton + Heirs Elijah Barker + D Moynehan + Joshua Corkery + John Gallivan + + +HARE'S WHARF. + + Margaret Hare. + + +ROBERTSON PLACE. + + Mary Allan Almon. + + +FIRE PROOF ALLEY. + + Heirs of Benjamin Smith. + Wm Carvill. + + +NORTH MARKET WHARF. + + Eliza Robertson. + John Kirk. + D. J. McLaughlin. + J. Hendrick. + R. P. McGivern. + Heirs of John Duncan. + George F. Smith. + Heirs of D. J. McLaughlin. + J. V. Thurgar. + Hannah A. Bates. + Diocesan Church Society. + Heirs of George Bonsall. + + +NELSON STREET. + + Jane Inches + Jos R Stone + James Lawton + Eliza Robertson + John Fitzpatrick + B R Lawrence + Mrs William Hammond + Ed T B Lawton + Wm Scovil + W H Brown + Chas Lawton + Heirs of B Smith + Heirs of D J McLaughlin + Fred Fitzpatrick + George Carvill + Benj Lawton + + +SOUTH WHARF. + + Heirs H W Wilson + Heirs of Thos Merritt + J H Allen + Jas Trueman + G C Wiggins + W Scovil + Barbour Bros + Heirs T Gilbert + G S DeForest + H & B S Gilbert + J E Masters + Heirs I L Bedell + J & R Reed + Heirs of B Smith (2) + + +WARD STREET AND WALKER'S WHARF. + + Heirs of B Smith + W B Smith + G S DeForest + Mrs Catherine McNamara + M Lawrence + John Mitchell + Gallagher Young + Turnbull & Co + Heirs of J Walker + H & B S Gilbert + B R Lawrence + Wm Breeze + Wm M B Firth (3) + William Meneally + W T Betts + + +JOHNSON'S WHARF. + + Hall & Fairweather + Heirs John Walker + John Wishart + W A Robertson + + +DISBROW'S WHARF. + + Magee Bros. + +WATER STREET. + + Sarah A and Jane Tisdale + Wm B Jack + W W Turnbull + James Harris & Co + G Carvill + The City (3) + Henry Brennan + W A Robertson + Mrs Louisa Hanford (2) + Alex Keith (2) + James E Holstead + Henry Vaughan + Archibald Rowan + Bank of New Brunswick + Heirs E Stephens (2) + Heirs Richard Sands + Heirs Andrew Hastings + B R Lawrence + B S & H Gilbert + Allan Brothers + James Ferrie + Heirs John Walker, (3) + Magee Bros + Chas Merritt (4) + J & R Reed (2) + Geo McLeod + Heirs Wm McKay + Norris Best + Heirs G L Lovitt + Geo G and Thos Chubb, + Thos Furlong + Stephen Whittaker + Heirs Wm Parks + Heirs J M Robinson + + +MARKET SQUARE. + + Heirs J M Walker + Heirs John Wilmot + Daniel & Boyd + Heirs Thomas Merritt + J N McManus + J. Melick + Richard Thompson + + +PRINCE WILLIAM STREET. + + Ed Sears + The City (4) + Henry McCullough + Maritime Bank + Heirs John Gillis + Mrs. John Kinnear + Isaac Burpee + Heirs John Ennis + Heirs Noah Disbrow + Heirs S Nichols (2) + John Armstrong + L H Vaughan + J L Dunn + John Anderson + J & A McMillan + Heirs of J M Walker + F A Wiggins + Heirs Jane Boyd + Bank of Nova Scotia + Maria S Bayard + A B Barnes + Heirs Geo. L. Lovitt + Hugh Davidson + Nathan Green + Susan and Phoebe Purdy + Mrs John McIntyre + Patrick McArdle + Wm Cotter (2) + Heirs F Ferguson + T F Raymond + Thos McAvity + Heirs Thomas Pettingill + Heirs James Pettingill + Heirs Ed Finnegan + Robt S Hyke + John Foster (2) + John McCoskery + Moses Lawrence + Chas King + Geo A Freeze + Robt Pengilly + Heirs Thomas Reed + Heirs Wm McFadden + C E Robinson + C E Harding + Joggins Coal Mining Association + W H Hatheway + Wm Blizzard + Heirs Wm McKay + Rev Wm Scovil + J J Kaye + Dominion of Canada (2) + Hanford Estate (2) + P Morrissey + Wm Finn + Ann Thomas + John Tilton + Henry Vaughan and heirs Simonds & Vaughan + Ellis & Armstrong + Chas Merritt (3) + Charlotte Gibbons + Bank of New Brunswick + Heirs H Chubb (4) + Heirs Ambrose Perkins + Heirs Wm Major + Heirs J M Walker + Rich S & J S Boes DeVeber + Jessie H Nickerson + Alex Jardine + Heirs Richard Sands + John Hegan + Heirs John Hastings + Robt Douglas + Heirs Benjamin Longmuir + Daniel & Boyd + + +CANTERBURY STREET. + + W G Lawton + John Vassie + A G Bowes + Jas O'Connor + Heirs W H Owens + Sarah Owens + A R Wetmore + Jas Walker + Willis & Mott + North British and Mercantile Insurance Co + Thos R Jones (3) + Geo V Nowlin + Geo. Moore + Heirs D J McLaughlin + + +GERMAIN STREET. + + Heirs John Ward (2) + Heirs W Tisdale + Jas E White + Rector and Wardens Trinity Church + John A Anderson + D J McLaughlin, Jr (2) + Ed Sears (2) + Trustees Wesleyan Methodist Church (2) + Trustees St John Grammar School (2) + Trustees St Andrew's Kirk + Victoria Hotel + Otis Small and Moses Lawrence + Heirs Edwin Bayard + H R Ranney + John McMillan (2) + Heirs Robertson Bayard + Heirs Sam'l Seeds (3) + Trustees Home for the Aged + Trustees Germain Street Baptist Church (2) + John Harding (2) + John Chaloner + Mrs Duncan Robertson + Heirs Wm Hammond (3) + Wm Thomas + W C Perley + Chas Phillips + Heirs G E S Keator + Jas Miller (2) + Caleb Larkins + Heirs Donald Cameron + Wm J Stevens + Heirs Alex Balloch + Mrs Samuel Seeds + J W Climo + Chas R Ray + J R Ruel + Mrs H Johnston + Heirs Thos Parks (2) + Heirs Ed Ketchum + Heirs Lachlan Donaldson (2) + Wm Bayard + Alex Sime + Jos Bullock + Jas Lawton + Wm Davidson + Academy of Music Co + Wm Breeze + J C Hatheway + Geo V Nowlin (3) + Heirs Dan Leavitt + James H Peters (4) + Trustees Mrs Alexander + Robt Robertson + Heirs D J McLaughlin + S K Foster (3) + + +CHARLOTTE STREET. + + Chas Merritt + John Holden + James Vernon + Dr L McLaren + Dr John Berryman + Mary L Wheeler + P Doherty + James Mason + Mrs T Coughlan + S Corbitt + S Hayward + Mary A and heirs Samuel Crawford + Eliza Chapman + Johannah Dacey and heirs + Timothy Dacey + Thos Welly + John Farren + Heirs Benj Longmuir + Heirs Francis McAvenney + Heirs Wm Potts + C E Harding + Pugsley, Crawford & Pugsley + Wm Breeze + R P McGivern + Jas Vernon + Agnes Stewart (2 houses) + John Marvin + S Smith + John Watson + Charlotte Stevens + T McAvity (2) + W McDermott + Alexander and heirs R Jardine + Maritime Sewing Machine Co + A McDermott + J Fisher, Sr + J McGivern + Dominion of Canada + John Sandall + J D McAvity + H Duffell + Mary and heirs Peter Fleming (2) + M Flood + Kate Mulherrin + H Maxwell (3) + Wm White + W H Harrison + John Fielders + Wm McAuley + Jane Murray + Eliza McLaughlin + Louisa Hanford + John D Devoe (3) + Nancy Hazen + Ann D Thompson + James Williams + Wm Davidson + Mary Earley + Mrs Fred James + P Besnard Sr + Geo Stockford + John Lawson + John Nugent + D Mullin + Rev A Wood + James H Pullen + John Berryman Sr (3) + J O Miller + Jas Langell + Corporation Trinity Church (3) + G Prescott (3) + J Guthrie and B Hevenor + G Williams + J D Gaynor (2) + John Winters (2) + + +SYDNEY STREET. + + Dr Travers + W J B Marter (2) + T C Humbert + John McBrine + Roman Catholic Bishop (3) + Geo V Nowlin (2) + Ed McAleer + E Kinsman + Trustees Reformed Presbyterian Church + W S Marvin + William Davidson + John Anderson + Susan Dobson + William Meneally + George J Coster + R Gregory + M Flood + J R Armstrong + Wm Wedderburn + N Best + H Thomas + John Murray + J Knox + Wm Burns (2) + Robt McKay + E M S Stewart (3) + Wm Vassie + T W Peters + E L Perkins + R Rolston + Sarah McRory + John Carney + Alex Kearns + Ellen Mooney + Coldwell Howard + Jas Lemon + Sarah Taylor + Elizabeth Robbins (2) + J D Vanwart + Ann Wane (2) + Dominion of Canada + John McAnulty + Alex McDermott + Mary Clark and heirs + John Clark + C Longstroth + R W Crookshanks + E L Perkins + Chas Hillan + S K F James + Margt Maloney + W Morrison + M McAleer (2) + S J Lauckner + J Milligan (2) + John Gray + Trustees St David's Church + E Richey + Rebecca Schoular and heirs + David Marshall + L S Currie + James Vernon (2) + Wm B Aitkin + Robt McIntyre & Co + J L Taylor + D J Laughlan + Henry Jack + + +HORSFIELD STREET. + + J H Pullen + Mrs W McKay (2) + P Besnard (2) + John Lowe (2) + Ellen McAvenney + John Nugent (2) + Sophia McLean + Mary Durant + Thos Bedell + Catherine Noyes + M Perry + Knox & Thompson + W Breeze + + +HARDING STREET. + + R Carleton + Mary Donahey + Sarah Gillis (2) + John Wilson (2) + Mary Richard + Neil Morrison + Geo Henderson + James O'Connor (3) + Wm McDermott (2) + Heirs J W Young (2) + + +PAGAN PLACE. + + Joseph Sulis + Louisa Donald + Mrs Emma Allison + A L Palmer + Moses Lawrence (2) + R Leonard + Chas S Taylor + S G Blizard + + +ST. ANDREW'S STREET. + + T W Peters (2) + R Gaskin + H Aldbone + John Kee (2) + James Gilmour + James Ritchey + John Ritchie + James Sterling (2) + John Wishart + Margaret Suffren + E Woodley + John McCaffery + Robert Wetsell + + +CARMARTHEN STREET. + + Ann Cronin + Elizabeth and Samuel Gardner + Heirs Aaron Eaton (3) + H A Austin + George E King + Charles Barnes + Mary A Ward + E E Lockhart + James Adams (3) + J D Lorimer + Samuel Ferguson (2) + Geo P Johnston (3) + Hugh Bell + Catherine Bonnell + James Hill (2) + W D Carron + James Muldoon + Gas Light Co. + Trustees Methodist Church + Trustees Orphan Asylum + Margaret O'Neil (2) + James McKinney + James Crockford + Mary Ann Pointer + Daniel Smith + John Kirk (2) + Samuel Dunham (two) + Alex Steen + S Scribner + Daniel Doyle + Mary Doyle + John Kirkpatrick + -- Smith + H S Normansell + Jane Carson + Catherine Nagle + R Evans + John Richey + Thomas Rankine + Thomas Doyle + John Wilson + Chas McLean + J Henderson + H Henderson + Rev J R Narraway + Andrew Kenney + L H Waterhouse + Wm Nixon + D Driscoll + R Wetsell + George Sparrow & J S Richardson + Wm Finley + + +WENTWORTH STREET. + + E E Lockhart + Thos Dobson + G Sparrow + George Blatch + C Sparrow (2) + J W Fleming + H Whiteside + John Fitzpatrick + H Coffey + M Barnes + C Flaherty + C E Sulis + B P Price (3) + James Moulson (2) + John A Anderson + B McDermott + R B Emerson + J T Barnes + George Doherty (2) + C Cathers (2) + Alex Steen + William Hill (2) + Knox and Thompson (4) + John Carr + + +MAIN STREET. + + John E Turnbull (4) + John Woodley + J G Jordan + A Steen (2) + J Tole + James O'Brien + Wm Bowden + Wm Coxetter & Michael Tucker + T M Reed + Sarah L Collins (2) + D McDermott + P Vanhorn + James Mahoney (3) + James Moulson + Jane Halcrow + L Markie + G J Sulis (2) + Wm Lewis + J & R Magee + J W Nicholson + G R Bent (2) + A L Rawlins + D Knight + F Mahoney + Ed Thurmott + Wm McKinney + Archibald Dibblee + George Thomas + John Guthrie + Mary Ann Ratcliff + James McKinney + O V Troop + Rector and Wardens St James' Church + C Langstroth + Andrew Armstrong + + +BRITAIN STREET. + + Sarah McFadden + Jane Barbour + John Collins + John Scott + H Spears + Thos Miller + Thos McCullough + Thos Crozier + Jas Price + Wm J Colson + P McGonagle + C Larkins + H W Purdy + E Murray + Heirs D Hatfield + Jas McAvity + Wm Furlong + John Abbott + John Bartlett + Albert Peters + Mrs O'Keefe + Geo Garraty + B Coxetter + E Thompson + Margaret McPartland + F Stewart + D Jordan (2) + Wm Ennis + Jas Nicholson + Robt Barbour + Albert Betts + W H Purdy + C Merritt (3) + Geo W Belyea + J Jardine + Jas Gorman + J Moore (2) + Lawrence McMann (2) + J Packthall + F M Hancock + C J Ward + Mrs Jas Bell + W H Hatheway + John Hutchinson + Peter Besnard, Sr (3) + R Johnston (2) + J Hayes + Neil Hoyt + N Carroll + M Barnes + Heirs L H DeVeber (2) + F Pheasant + A Doyle + R Dalton + W J Pratt + D Robinson + W A Magee + S McGarvey + Bridget Murphy + Thos Bisset + Bridget Farren + J George + Ed Duffy + J E Turnbull (2) + E Thompson (2) + John Moran (2) + John Crowley + W H Quinn (3) + F S Williams (2) + John Wishart + D J Schurman + Mary McCurdy + H Maxwell + S G Blizard + Thos Robinson + + +ST. JAMES STREET. + + O Cline + R Cline + J Kemp + John Bridges + W I Whiting + J McLarren + E Thompson + Patk McManus + Wm Leahy + S Rutherford + John Doody + John Sherrard + John Knowles + John Sears (3) + C Cain + Wm Furlong (2) + Bridget Murphy + John Watson + Thomas Viall + Geo Young + Jas Ellis + E L Perkins (2) + Wm Simpson + Alice McKean + P McGonagal + M Burk + Mrs Thos Hanlon + Samuel Fisher + Eliza Wilson + John Wilson, jr + J & A Campbell + D Sullivan + R Holmes + C Moriarty + John Runciman + Robt J Caldwell + W Casey + School Trustees + Rev William Scovil + John Fisher + John Cain + Rev Wm Scovil and Trustees of Wiggins' Orphan Asylum + J Drake + Wm Duffell + Thos White + Thos Pike + F P Robinson + John Winters + Jas Price + Wm Gilfillan + Jane White (2) + Wm Russell + Mrs David Millar + Heirs Thos King + P Condon + Jos Akroyd + David Stewart + Patrick Ferrie + Chas Osburn + Elizabeth Spence + Rev M Ritchey + Thos Kedey + Wm Lewis (3) + M Flood + John Wishart + John S Mullin + John Littler + Heirs Daniel Hatfield + Heirs F Dibblee + Purdy heirs + B Coxetter + T G Merritt + Heirs R Sands + Caleb Larkins + T F Raymond + Mrs Francis Clementson + D J Schurman + Thos Littlejohn + Chas Sinclair + John Callaghan + T M Reed + + +PITT STREET. + + Silas H Brown + Henry Lawlor + James Cummings + F Jordan + Rebecca Fisher + Ed K Fisher + D S Robinson + James Hewitt + C Lawton (2) + + +SHEFFIELD STREET. + + Gilbert estate + Matthew Thompson (2) + James Carr + E Vanhorn + James Brown + Heirs Geo McKelvie (2) + John A Anderson + R Robertson + Margaret Hennigar + Joseph Kimpson + Ferguson & Rankine (2) + Y M C Association + M McVane (2) + Robert Cunniff + John Kirk + Alex Harvey + Jane Wasson + Mrs. P. Riley + J H Anthony + John McCabe (2) + John Woodburn + C O'Keefe + Richd McCluskey + John Fisher + A McDermott + Purves & Moore + J Drake + E Magee + John Porter + Rector and Wardens St James' Church + Stephen & James Oakes + S Dunham + Mary Ann Pointer + Catherine O'Neal (2) + Daniel Smith + Joseph McCullough + McKelvey heirs + Trustees Methodist Church + David Dodge + Elizabeth Nixon + Lewis Wheaton + Geo Anning + Joseph Sulis + Jas Vanhorn + + +QUEEN SQUARE. + + Thos Furlong + Isaac Woodward + John Boyd + Geo B Cushing + R Cruikshanks + A L Palmer + Jas Manson (2) + W B Smith + John Horn + J W Barnes + D Robertson (2) + Mrs Charles Brown and heirs of Chas Brown + John Stewart + F. Tufts + John Tucker + H. Jack + E. L. Jewett. + + +QUEEN STREET. + + John Foster + R Longmaid + Thos P Davies + H. Hawkins + Jessie Day + Mrs Alex Dalsell + J H Harding + J U Thomas + Joseph Sulis + Geo Riley and heirs + Robt Riley (2) + J O'Connell + Wm Davis and heirs + John McNichol + Mary Bersay + John R McFarlane + James McCart (2) + Ed Edson + Mrs Jane McPherson + Heirs John Thomas + Hugh Kelly + S Benterell + John Hamilton + Margaret Homer + Heirs John Roberts + Geo S Fisher + Robt Turner + John McBrine (2) + R Cassidy (2) + Thos Jordan + D. S. Kerr + John Pettingill + C Flood (2) + Geo Suffren + Chas E Raymond + John Fitzpatrick + James Gallagher + Geo J. Nixon + A. Quick + Heirs R Bayard + R J Leonard + G F Soley (2) + Alex Steen + Hugh Carswell + Mrs John Millidge + H S Normansell + Heirs John Whitne + John Wilson, jr + John Wilson (2) + Margaret and heirs Joseph Hanley (2) + Thos Doyle + Andrew Evans + Robt Marshall + Wm Black + F M Hancock + Alex McKelvy + Wm Pike (2) + Heirs D J McLaughlin + J McFarlane + Thomas McAvity, jr + Robt Hickson + M Francis + D Brown + Mary Crothers and heirs John Crothers + Ann Thomas + Andrew Keohan + Mary Williams + John Scallon (2) + Simon Leonard + + +MECKLENBURG STREET. + + Jas Hutchinson and heirs Jos Stevenson (2) + Richard Longmaid + H Vaughan + John Vassie + Chas Maclean + Heirs James Whitney + Margaret Hillman + C McIver + Chas Whitney + John Dyers + Mary Dockrill + W M Jordan + Jas Emerson + Jas McNicholl + Heirs Joseph Atkins + Mary Ann McLean + F L Lewin + T W Seeds + Benj Dodge + John Ennis + John Dick + James Woodstock + Phoebe Bookhout + Martin Burns + Edward Purchase + Thos Dobson + Ann Atkins + Jas Knox + Francis Gallagher + Mathew Steen + Wm Causey + Geo V Nowlin + Andrew Armstrong + W McVay + Wm McKeel + Heirs Aaron Eaton + John Magee + William Magee + J. W Nicholson + J R Armstrong + + +DUKE STREET. + + P McArdle + Peter Flannigan + Mrs Francis Ferguson (2) + Joseph Bell + John McSorley (3) + Heirs R Bayard (2) + A Blain + Peter Besnard (3) + Mrs Livingstone + Mrs W Fraser + John Marven + S Tufts + J Shannon + O Bailey + Trustees Madras School + Seely & Besnard + R W Crookshank + Susan Stephenson + B Brennan (2) + Robt Thomson (2) + Samuel Gardner + Andrew Gilmour + R Robertson, jr + S K Brundage + Joseph Henderson + H Henderson + Wm H Randall + Wm McBay + J Wilkins, sen + J Wilkins, jr + Wm Francis + James Adams + Mrs Gilchrist + James Saunders + Wm Whitney + Sarah Partelow + Ed Purchase (2) + Robt S Jones + Geo Sparrow + Mary Ann McLean (2) + M Morrison + Charlotte Jones + Michael Burns + P Bushfan + William Wright + Heirs William Melody + Margaret Hartness + E Burnside + Howard D. Troop + John Marven + John Cook + James Adams + Sarah Ferguson + Heirs Edward Brundage (2) + W Stephens + Jacob Seely + Trustees Christian Church + John Wishart + L A Waterhouse + James Milligan + Sarah Jane Ferguson + George A Thompson + John Richards + W F Butt + Arthur Daniel (2) + Heirs Daniel Culbert + James Vernon + Mrs. Earley + Sarah Gillis + J. O'Connell + Peter Dearness + Heirs Michael McGuirk (2) + Ann Jane Ritchie + Geo Stockford + Caroline Wood + Hugh Davidson + Susan Chittick (2) + J & R Reed + + +ORANGE STREET. + + Wm Meneally + John Smith + Andrew Gray + M. Hennigar (2) + Andrew Kinney (2) + Jas Adams + W R MacKenzie + D G MacKenzie + W E Vroom + G E King + H D Troop + C W Weldon + A C Smith + R R Sneden + E J Barteaux + Joseph Prichard (4) + Jane Cook + James McLean + Catherine Allen + Thomas Johnston + Henry Lawlor + B Murphy + James E Whittaker + J R Woodburn + Z G Gabel + James Estey + Charles Drury + Emma J Daley + John Sweeney + J W Hall + G McLeod + J A Venning + R Blair + Margaret Sinnott + Heirs R McAfee + Heirs Wm Bailey + James Morrison + Heirs P Williams + + +PRINCESS STREET. + + Alexander Barnhill + W J Ritchie + E Thompson + Patrick Bradley + J C Hatheway + E Sears + P Fitzpatrick + Wm Burtis + A Buist + Jas Hunter + Knox & Thompson + John Burk + J H Lee, + Thos Rogers + John Anderson (2) + John Murphy + B Bustin + G Bent + Margaret Hunter + John Nugent + Mary Craig + James H Bartlett + Mrs David Miller + Thos Miller + James Bustin + Fred Dorman + O Doherty + Adam Young + C E Robinson + John Healey + John Gardner + Mrs Mary A & E E Lockhart (2) + Heirs of Geo A Lockhart + R W Thorne + H Williams + W Sandall + Robert McAndrews + James Robinson + Susan and heirs J Johnston + Ann Hamilton and heirs Clara Dean + William Fogg + Mary Ann Ellsworth + J V Troop + Simeon Jones + Alex Lockhart + Trustees Centenary Church (2) + Heirs John Mason + Heirs Thomas P Williams + W C Drury + J A Godsoe + D W Scammell + G Henderson + A W Whitney + T D Wilson + Mrs Ellen Smith + John Doherty + Trustees J S Turner + Thomas Bustin + P Halpin + B Paterson + Barbara Clark + W C Godsoe + James Trueman + Ed Willis + Joseph Miller + Robert Law + Geo Thomas + Judge Watters + Benj Lowe + H A Hatheway (2) + Harriet Trueman + W Walton + Geo Mathews (2) + S A Dixon + E M Merritt + Michael Thompson (2) + Rev Alex McL Stavely + H S Gregory + Helen York and Captain Thos York + John Anderson + Jas Sullivan + Geo F Thompson + J J Munro + J E Ganong + T G Merritt + Jane Woods + John Burke + Mrs Jas Drake + G C Wiggins + W H Hayward + M. N Powers + Catherine and heirs Michael Donnelly + F A Wiggins + Rev Mr McCarty + Trustees James Leitch + Charles Patton + + +LEINSTER STREET. + + F Cassidy + James Milligan + Lydia Gardner (2) + Joseph Edgar + Mrs Wallace + Mrs Samuel Bustin + Trustees of Baptist Church + Jane Rutherford + H L Francis + Mary Murray + Francis McDevitt + Trustees Varley School + Mrs E Lunt and heirs + Jos Lunt + A W Masters + Silas H Brown + James Sullivan + Mrs Lydia J Calhoun + Joseph Reed + W H & D Hayward + A H Eaton + John Corr + S K Foster + John Gallagher + Dennis Sullivan + Heirs Wm Bailey + Francis Hewitt (2) + John Roop (2) + Geo W Masters + G V Nowlin + Chas H Dearborn + G Merritt + Gilbert Murdoch + T C Humbert + John McBrine (2) + + +CHURCH STREET. + + G A Knodell + M Thompson + Geo Pattison + Thos S Wetmore + James H Peters + Mrs Jane Disbrow + Ellen Mahoney + Ed Maher + A Bowes + R T Clinch and heirs E Barlow + + +KING SQUARE. + + C M Bostwick + C Merritt + Trustees Irish Friendly Society + Heirs B Ansley + R Milligan + C A Robertson + + +KING STREET. + + Mrs John Gillis + Heirs John Gillis + James Manson + R T Clinch and heirs E Barlow + D J McLaughlin and heirs Daniel McLaughlin + S E Whittaker + James E Whittaker + Geo A Barker + Mrs Geo Taylor + John Dougherty + Heirs Wm Melick + Mrs John Hay + John Fisher + Wm Kennedy + Corporation of Trinity Church + Thos H Hall (2) + Samuel Schofield + Thomas Seely + Ann Howe + John Mitchell + Mary Piddler + Wm Peters + Heirs H Chubb + Joseph Nichols + James R Ruel & Robert Light + Mrs Chas C Macdonald (3) + Jos W Hall (2) + W H Scovil + R T Clinch and heirs E Barlow + + +UNION STREET. + + J C Brown estate + Peter and John Campbell + Daniel Donovan + Mrs Lantalum (2) + J W Hall (2) + John Gallivan + John McSweeny (3) + Heirs D J McLaughlin + C Lawton + James Dever + J Fred Lawton + L Burns + J Hegan + John Lloyd + Hare heirs + Mrs John Bryden + John Higgins + A Richardson + A Yeats & Sons (3) + J & T Robinson (2) + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + The losses of the Masonic Fraternity.--Great Destruction of Masonic + Regalia and Paraphernalia.--Organization of the General Masonic + Board of Relief.--Amount received in Aid of the Suffering Brethren. + + +The losses of the Masonic fraternity have been computed, and found to be +much greater than was at first supposed. The private lodges saved +nothing, and all their warrants, banners, jewels, clothing, and other +paraphernalia were lost. Some of them even did not rescue their seals; +and Hibernia, Union Lodge of Portland, and New Brunswick Lodge, lost +their records. The Union Lodge of Portland was a heavy loser. Her loss +amounts to $1,250; Albion, No. 1, $850; St. John's, No. 2, about $600; +Leinster, No. 9, and New Brunswick, No. 22, foot up to $750 each; and +Hibernia, No. 3, to $850. + +The Chapters have also fared badly. Carleton Royal Arch Chapter, formed +in 1802, lost the seal and $1,150 worth of property; while New Brunswick +Chapter meets with a loss of $1,475. + +There were two Encampments which met in Masonic Hall. St. John +Encampment not only lost $2,300 worth of property, which included the +rich regalia of the order, the jewels, banners, charters, and general +paraphernalia, but also the seal of the Encampment, and the regalia in +the armory, which was owned by the private members. This latter +consisted for the most part, of the chapeaux, swords, belts, gauntlets, +baldrics, aprons, etc., usually worn by the Sir Knights when on parade +and other duty. Hardly a member of the organization saved his masonic +clothing. The regalia of this body was especially gorgeous in character, +and no better dressed organization, before the fire, existed anywhere. +The Union De Molay Encampment experienced the same loss of general +wardrobe and appliances. Their loss reaches upwards of two thousand +dollars. The bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Rite lost everything but +the records. The Royal Order of Scotland--a very select body,--saved +their records only; the entire paraphernalia and regalia were lost. All +the furniture and furnishings, the organ, etc., belonging to the General +Hall Committee of the body, with all the paintings, photographs, and +engravings, were destroyed with the rest. + +Only the regalia and records, and full register of members belonging to +the Grand Lodge were saved. The magnificent library of over four hundred +volumes, many of them rare and scarce, and the most complete thing of +the kind in the Dominion, was burned. In the work of collecting these +books, the Grand Secretary, W. F. Bunting, Esq., spent many years; and +the destruction of the noble volumes is a serious and irreparable loss +to Freemasonry; many of the books destroyed can never be replaced. +Besides this, a good many were of incalculable value, on account of +certain associations connected with them, and each one had a little +history of its own. Some of them were presentation volumes, others again +were out of print, and not a few were high-priced modern text-books, +especially valuable to the masonic student. All the blank forms and +certificates, fyles of documents and books of constitutions, and all +copies of printed proceedings were swept away in the common ruin. Grand +Lodge has suffered severely, and her total loss above insurance cannot +be less than one thousand dollars; while the loss she has met with which +money cannot replace is enormous. Even Carleton Union Lodge, which met +on the other side of the harbour, did not escape. Her beautiful banners, +which she had lent St. John Encampment at the time of the late ball, +were in the lodge room when the fire was sweeping all before it, and +they were consequently burned. + +The walls of the Lodge-room were always tastefully decorated with well +executed engravings on Masonic subjects. These all perished, as well as +the handsome auto-type of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales in full Masonic +regalia, which was presented to the craft last year, by Thomas Furlong, +Esq., and which was greatly admired. An oil painting of P. G. M. +Balloch, by Holman, in full Masonic clothing, which hung near the +Master's Chair, and a fine picture in oil of "The Ascension," by Dr. T. +A. D. Forster, formerly of St. John, were burned along with everything +else. Indeed the fraternity will find it impossible to replace a tithe +of the useful and ornamental things with which it was surrounded. The +order in this city was well equipped, and amply provided with +everything. + +Notwithstanding, however, that they had suffered so largely themselves, +publicly and privately, as individuals and as masons, the leading +members of the fraternity at once organized a board of relief and +proceeded to care for the wants of the brethren who had met with +reverses. The general masonic board of relief is a special organization +which grew out of the present calamity, and is separate and distinct +from the regular or ordinary relief board of the city. It is composed of +city members of the Board of General Purposes of the Grand Lodge, and +the presiding officers of all the Masonic bodies of the city. Grand +Master R. T. Clinch is Chairman, Grand Treasurer Jas McNichol, Jr., is +Treasurer, and Grand Secretary William F. Bunting is Secretary of the +board. R. W. Bro. Edwin J. Wetmore is clerk, and has charge of the +office and attends daily from three to five o'clock in the afternoon, to +receive applications from brethren in distress. The board meets every +day, in the office rented for the purpose, from four to five o'clock to +consider applications and grant such relief as they deem advisable. In +the administration of the fund at their disposal the board exercises +great discretion and discrimination. Not only are brethren of the craft +helped, but the hearts of their widows and orphans are made glad. Often +the board does not wait for a distressed brother to make application for +relief, but other means are taken to find out his necessities and aid is +sent to him whenever this can be ascertained. All benefits are granted +in money, and range from sums of twenty to fifty dollars, payable by +check signed always by the treasurer, and one other officer of the +board. As soon as money is received it is deposited in the Bank of +British North America, in the names of the Chairman, Treasurer and +Secretary. The system works admirably and already a great amount of +good, in really necessitous cases, has been done. The gentlemen at the +head of the board are men of sterling character and reputation, and any +funds placed in their hands are judiciously and properly disbursed. +Every provision is being made for the coming winter months, when it is +expected that sore distress will prevail in the city, and with this in +view the board feel the necessity of having a good fund at their +disposal to meet the wants of worthy but unfortunate members of the +fraternity. Thus far the craft abroad have responded to the needs of the +suffering brethren quite liberally. Up to late date these sums have been +received: + + From Craft in Chicago, Ill. $930 00 + " Grand Lodge of Canada 1,000 00 + " " " Illinois 237 75 + " Craft in Charlottetown, P. E. I. 300 00 + " " Newfoundland 336 44 + " Masonic Relief Board, Memphis, Tenn. 94 75 + " St. Andrew's Lodge, Bangor, Me. 95 00 + " St. John's Lodge, Bathurst, N. B. 50 00 + " Star in the East Lodge, Oldtown, Me. 66 50 + " Alexandria Lodge, St. Mary's, York Co., N. B. 20 00 + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + The Destruction--The Loss--Estimates--The Acreage and + Streetage--Has the Land Decreased in Value?--Incomes swept + away--What is Left--Hope!--The Insurance--The Corporation + Loss--The Dominion Loss--Additional Deaths--The Wounded--The + Orange Body. + + +In forming an estimate of the destruction which the fire has caused +great care has been exercised. I have been careful to verify every +statement I advance. Thoroughly competent engineers have, at my request, +re-surveyed the area through which the fire raged, and I am therefore in +a position to give reliable information on a subject which has given +rise to much speculation and doubt. The acreage has been taken and the +streetage made and the result has shown that the fire destroyed two +hundred acres of territory and nine and six-tenths miles of streets. To +be more exact the acreage is not quite two hundred acres but so very +near it that it may be accepted at that estimate. Not more than +two-fifths of the city have been burned and the reader will see the +truth of this when he comes to consider that Carleton which forms a part +of this city has been untouched by the flames, and all the upper portion +of the city has escaped. While the acreage and streetage shew that the +city is not totally destroyed, yet what has been burned represented +enormous value. The fire penetrated to the very heart of the great +commercial centre of St. John. It laid waste the fairest portion of the +city. It swept away the palace-houses of our wealthy people and +destroyed nearly every public building in the place. When one considers +all these circumstances and begins to realize the situation, he is apt +to form too high an estimate of the loss. He looks around him while +going about surveying the ruins, and on every side he sees the great +waste and the figures forming in his head grow larger and larger as he +proceeds to sum up the result of the sad fire. Every man has his own +opinion, and it is curious to observe how widely diversified these +opinions are. The cautious man places it at fifteen millions, and his +hot blooded and visionary friend with equal show of reason estimates the +loss at nearly fifty millions. The estimate ranges widely and wildly. +The books of the assessors on examination show a loss to property of +much less value than even the owners put upon it before the fire. But +one can see how fallacious these results are, when the reader learns +that in making up the assessments the assessors value a merchant's stock +at not what it is, but what in their opinion they think it should be. +For instance, a man has three hundred thousand dollars worth of stock in +warehouse. He really owns about fifty thousand dollars worth and owes +for the balance. He is not taxed on his debts but on what he is worth. +Yet the fire carried away the sum total of the goods in his possession. +The assessors' books show hardly a tithe of the actual value of the +loss. It can only be correctly stated after a thorough examination, and +as nearly as can be ascertained the entire destruction throughout the +city reaches upwards of twenty-seven millions of dollars. This is the +loss in solid value. But that much money will not replace the goods +thus destroyed. There were many things burned which were of what might +be called fancy value, and which money can in no way replace. And in +making our estimate these things have been valued only nominally. The +loss, therefore, in round figures, is not a whit below the amount we +have given, $27,000,000. The talk about taxable property is all +nonsense. Every man who says so, knows that he is talking nonsense. +Hardly a man lives to-day who is taxed in the proportion that he should +be. The richer a man is, the more easily he can hide his wealth, and an +examination of the assessment books will enable any reader to find a +hundred examples in proof of this. Another argument is brought forward. +We are told that the land is not burned up, and in that land there is +great value. That is true enough, every word of it. The land is not +burned out of existence. It is still where it was, but it is by no means +as valuable as it was before the fire. A thousand circumstances were +brought to bear on it, locality, desirability, and necessity, and all +these had an influence in enhancing its value. Most of these reasons, +and cogent reasons they were too at the time, have now gone out with the +fire. Men who thought they must have a piece of land because it was in a +good situation, and because it was located near their own lots, were +ready to buy what they wanted at a good price, often merely to carry out +some hobby or idea paramount in their minds. But these ideas have +vanished. This hobby can be ridden no longer. He can have the lot now if +he wants it, at a good deal lower rate than he offered for it, but he +can't afford it. The owner's means are swept away, and he cannot afford +to build again, and is anxious to sell his land, that he can go and rent +a house to live in. The land in almost every part of the burnt district +will drop, and has already dropped, in value. It is still there, and so +it was there a hundred years ago. It is more valuable now than it was +then. I don't pretend to say that we are no better off than when the +loyalists landed, for we are. Our roads are laid out; our people are +thrifty, enterprising, and skilful. The greater portion of the city is +still intact. We have a splendid system of water supply and sewerage. We +have, or, will have very soon, gas burning again. We will have comforts +once more. But what I do mean to say is, that it will take very many +years to build the city up again as it was before the fire. It will take +very many years to enable the land-owner to realize anything like the +price he once commanded for his property. Of course, in the leading +business streets there will be but little difference, though it will be +felt in a good many quarters. Take some portions of King and Prince +William streets, for example. Some men realized a snug income from the +rental of the shanties which were erected on good business sites in +these streets. They owned the land, and the shanties were theirs. Their +whole income came from this source. Their wooden buildings yielded them +a far more handsome return for their outlay than many of the massive +brick buildings near them did to their owners. Why was this? Simply +because they were in a good locality. These shanties are now level with +the earth. The revenue is swept away. These men own the land, but their +means are gone. They cannot rebuild. If they did, the rent they would +receive would be far less than the rookeries yielded, and they must sell +their property or mortgage it. The land has lost a great deal of its +value, and it will take a long time for it to regain that loss. We must +look these things boldly and seriously in the face. No reflection is +made on the people when these statements are advanced. No more +enterprising populace lives than the people of St. John. Many are used +to hard work. They have hewn out of the solid rock one of the most +beautiful cities in the Dominion. They have met a thousand obstacles in +their path, and they have swept them all aside. And they will ride over +their calamity and begin again the hard road upward. They will rebuild +the city once more, and plant bright things where ruin and despair now +stand, but we must not flatter ourselves that we have lost nothing, and +that our land has not deteriorated in value. It is as wrong to be over +sanguine as it is to give way to gloom and do nothing to better our +misfortunes. We must work with determination and lose no time. We must +show the world--that kind world which has fed the mouths of our poor and +clothed the unfortunate--that there is backbone and muscle still left in +the city, and that while we have men to work we have no women to weep. +It might have been worse. We have lost lives, we have lost all our +buildings--we have lost everything that goes to make home happy, +cheerful and bright--we have lost our stores and shops--we have lost +a hundred comforts--but, thank God, we have not lost our glorious hope +in the future. In that hope is our salvation. It is that hope which +stirs us on, which quickens our energy, which tells us that it might +truly have been worse. It is the one beautiful thing that is left to us. +It is the angel which smiles back to us when we raise our eyes upward. +It is the figure in the cloud which says to prostrate man, "Rouse, rouse +yourself! all is not lost, there is a future for you all." Ah, yes, it +might have been worse. There is desolation all around--there is death in +many households--there is mourning and crying and moaning--but hope +still sailing grandly near us, so near that we can almost touch her, +still smiling sweetly on us, tells us all will yet be well and bids us +be of good cheer. + +The number of houses burned on the several streets in the city, is +sixteen hundred and twelve. They were located as follows: + + Georges Street 10 + Mill Street 20 + Drury Lane 17 + Smyth Street 20 + North Street 5 + North Market Slip 8 + Hare's Wharf 1 + Robertson Place 1 + Fire Proof Alley 2 + North Market Wharf 11 + Nelson Street 18 + Dock Street 26 + Market Square 6 + South Market Wharf 16 + Ward Street 10 + Peters' Wharf 11 + Johnston's Wharf 2 + Lovett's Slip 1 + St. John, "Water" Street 51 + Canterbury Street 19 + Prince William Street 95 + Germain Street 87 + Charlotte Street 84 + Sydney Street 75 + Carmarthen Street 59 + Wentworth Street 34 + Pitt Street 38 + Sheffield Street 52 + Main Street 58 + Britain Street 101 + St James Street 98 + Pagan Place 9 + Harding Street 15 + Queen Square, south side 10 + Queen Square, north side 10 + St Andrew Street 17 + Queen Street 80 + Mecklenburg Street 44 + Duke Street 105 + Horsfield Street 17 + Orange Street 42 + Princess Street 106 + Church Street 10 + Leinster Street 45 + King Square, south side 6 + King Street 60 + ----- + Total, 1612 + +The number of people rendered homeless foot up to about thirteen +thousand, and the number of families to about twenty-seven hundred. As +near as can be got, the insurance on merchandise, furniture and +buildings, is placed as follows. This is not quite correct but at this +hour it is as nearly correct as can be ascertained. It will average this +at all events, and amounts in the aggregate to about seven millions of +dollars. + + Queen $700,000 + North British & Mercantile 800,000 + Lancashire 500,000 + Provincial 100,000 + Liverpool, London & Globe 480,000 + Guardian 420,000 + Canada Fire & Marine 50,000 + Citizens 200,000 + National 140,000 + Royal 520,000 + Commercial Union 420,000 + Royal Canadian 350,000 + Western 90,000 + Imperial 480,000 + AEtna 246,000 + Hartford 148,000 + Phenix of Brooklyn 60,000 + British America 27,000 + Stadacona 320,000 + Central, of Fredericton 60,000 + St John Mutual 75,000 + Northern 500,000 + Canada Agricultural 8,000 + +Most of the Insurance Companies paid up at once "The Stadacona" pays +its liabilities within a year. The "Provincial" has suspended but +promises to pay in time and the condition of the "St. John Mutual" is +quite hopeless, and will pay scarcely anything. The "Central" of +Fredericton, N.B., will pay in a short time, it is said. + +The loss to the shipping will amount to about fifty thousand dollars. +The St. John Corporation loses heavily, and the insurance which was held +on some properties is exceedingly light. The City Hall cost, at the time +of its purchase from the directors of the old Commercial Bank, the sum +of $23,000. Since then a good deal of money has been expended on it. The +insurance was only $15,000. The Police Court and station on Chipman's +Hill, which were both burned, the one a wooden building and the other of +brick, had insurance to the small amount of $2,000. The Fish Market, +useful and by no means ornamental, was insured for $600. The Lower Cove +Market, the upper or second story of which contained a public hall, and +was used by temperance societies sometimes, was insured for $1,200. In +the rear of the first floor of this building, a lock-up was situate, for +the accommodation of delinquents and law-breakers in that portion of the +city. The city stables on Carmarthen street were uninsured, as was also +the toll house at the Carleton ferry landing. The building occupied by +Mr. May at Reed's point, and which was owned by the corporation, was +insured for $1,000. Two cottages on Orange street were insured for +$3,000. These were occupied by Mr. A. J. H. Bartsch, the watch-maker, +and by Mr. Chas. Parker. Mr. Samuel Phillips' residence, on Duke +street, and which belonged to the corporation, was insured for $400. The +warehouses on Pettingill's Wharf had insurance to the amount of $5,000. +The barrack and sheds belonging to the city were uninsured. Two-thirds +of the fire alarm was destroyed, and all the watering-carts, slovens, +hose, &c., belonging to the corporation, were burned. No. 1 engine-house +was destroyed. No. 2 experienced a little damage after Dr. Travers' +house caught fire. The sidewalks can only be replaced at a heavy cost, +and the damage to the wharf property is enormously large. + +The Dominion Government loses about half a million dollars. The Custom +House and Post Office will be rebuilt at once, and plans are already +prepared. All the Government military stores were burned, and the three +hundred rifles belonging to the 62nd battalion were lost. Most of the +new uniforms belonging to the corps perished likewise. None of the +Dominion Government's property was insured, and the loss will therefore +be complete. + +The list of callings has been carefully gone over, and shows a return of +the following, who have been burned out:-- + + Architects 4 + Auctioneers 7 + Bakers 11 + Banks 5 + Bankers, Private 4 + Barristers 80 + Blacksmiths 10 + Block and pump makers 8 + Boarding-houses 55 + Boat builders 5 + Bookbinders 5 + Book stores 7 + Boot and shoemakers 38 + Boot and shoe stores 14 + Brass founders 6 + Builders 27 + Cabinet makers 9 + Clothiers 29 + Commission merchants 93 + Confectioners 6 + Dentists 9 + Druggists 8 + Dry goods (wholesale) 14 + Dry goods (retail) 22 + Dining and oyster saloons 10 + Flour dealers 32 + Fruit dealers 7 + Grocers (wholesale) 40 + Grocers (retail) 102 + Gasfitters and plumbers 9 + Hair dressers 13 + Hardware stores 8 + Hotels 14 + Insurance agents 29 + Iron merchants 8 + Liquor dealers (wholesale) 27 + Liquor dealers (retail) 116 + Livery stables 8 + Lumber merchants 12 + Marble works 6 + Merchant tailors 36 + Newspapers 7 + Painters 13 + Photographers 6 + Physicians and surgeons 15 + Printers (job work) 10 + Riggers 7 + Sailmakers 5 + Ship chandlers 14 + Ship smiths 8 + Stove dealers 8 + Tobacconists 7 + Undertakers 4 + Watchmakers and jewellers 12 + +The following list shows the manufacturing establishments, using steam +power, which were destroyed, and gives the number of hands employed in +each:-- + + Name. Business. No. of + hands + employed. + + Jeremiah Drake Block maker 5 + John E. Turnbull Sash factory 18 + Armstrong Bros. Foundry 10 + T. Rankine & Sons Bakery 30 + S. R. Foster & Son Tack manufacturers 50 + W. D. Aitken Machinist 10 + John Norris Auger maker 2 + R. A. Saunders Pattern maker 2 + Wm. Lowe Wood turner 1 + Wm. Smith & Co. Ship-smith 8 + H. Allan Brass foundry 8 + Maxwell, Elliot & Bradley Ship smiths 4 + Dearborn & Co. Coffee and spices 10 + J. Akroyd Machinist 1 + J. Smith Foundry 4 + Geo. F. Thompson White lead man'r 7 + D. McLaughlin & Sons Boiler makers 15 + T. McAvity & Sons Brass manufacturers 16 + Bradley Bros. Block makers -- + Geo. R. Bent Organs -- + +This, and the list above, I use through the permission of Mr. Elder, of +_The Telegraph_, who had them carefully made up from reliable sources. + +In addition to the number of deaths mentioned in one of the earlier +chapters of this book, very large addenda must be made. Since that +chapter was written, a good many more persons are known to have +perished. The list on the death-roll is very large. Mr. Garret Cotter, a +young man, working in the tailoring establishment of Mr. James S. May, +as a cutter, and an old man named Peter McGovern, who lived on Straight +Shore, met their deaths at the same time and at the same place. A +cornice fell from the Adam's building and killed them. Young Cotter +lived in Crown Street with his mother. His father met with a violent +death some years since, having been killed on the railway. Two young men +were drowned in the harbour before the very eyes of horror-stricken +spectators. James Kemp, aged 21, formerly a clerk in Michael Farrel's +clothing store, and Thomas Holmes, a lad of seventeen years, and who +resided in Harding Street with his mother, put out to sea in a small +boat laden with what little property they could get into it. The bottom +of the boat broke, and the craft filling at once, both men were drowned +in a second. The people on vessels in the harbour lying close by the +ill-fated boat, were so excited at what they saw, and the men sank so +rapidly, that nothing could be done to save them, and they perished in +full view of those on board. Kemp leaves a wife and one child. Mrs. +Cohalan, wife of Wm. Cohalan, was lost in Smyth Street. Her body was +never recovered, but it is established beyond all doubt that she fell an +early victim. All that was left of Mrs. Bradley, who once lived in +Princess Street, were some human bones which were found on her door-step +after the fire. The remains of Richard Thomas, an employe in Fred. +Fitzpatrick's warehouse in Nelson Street, were found on the site of +Richard O'Brien's saloon in Germain Street. Robert Fox, who belonged +about the Marsh Road, has been pronounced dead. + +The accidents were very numerous, and were of various degrees of +importance. In the hurry, the names of all persons who suffered by the +fire, and had experienced bruises and fractures, could not be obtained. +Some were sent at once to the Public Hospital, and even here there was +not time to fully record the names of all who were brought in. The +physician in charge, Dr. Hanington, did all in his power to make the +unfortunates comfortable and easy. The matron of the establishment and +other assistants also rendered efficient and prompt aid. The names of +those who were for a while in the Hospital, and received injuries at the +fire are Daniel Dooley, John Ross, Patrick Brady, William Coxetter, +William Donohoe, Helen Davidson, Bayard Thompson, Walter Lamb (injured +at the explosion), Andrew Donovan, Michael Barrett, William Porter, +Jeremiah Sullivan, Thomas Sullivan, Richard Powers, John Anderson and +George Gallagher. The last two men died in the Hospital from the effects +of their wounds. + +The thanks of the people of St. John are largely due to C. J. Brydges, +Esq., and R. Luttrell, Esq., of the Intercolonial Railway, who promptly +placed fast trains at the service of the Relief Committee, and forwarded +free passengers and supplies. Excellent service was thus performed, and +Mr. Luttrell lost no time in meeting the emergency. Indeed he spent +several days in relieving the wants of the sufferers. Few will forget +these kindly acts. + +In concluding this chapter I might add that the Orange Lodges which met +in Mr. Thos. H. Hall's building, King street, lost quite heavily. Their +regalia was, for the most part, entirely consumed, but the banners were +saved. The insurance on the hall and furniture was only five hundred +dollars. The members had gone to a great deal of expense lately in +fitting up their lodge-room, which was one of the tastiest in the city. +The decorations were very handsome. The loss will reach at least two +thousand dollars. A relief organization has been formed by leading +brethren of the order, and the wants of sufferers by the fire are being +looked after. The Grand Master, Edward Willis, and Messrs. A. G. +Blakslee, John A. Kane, J. B. Andrews, Walter McFate, W. A. King, W. +Roxorough, James Elliott, and Samuel Devenne, comprise the Relief +Committee. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + The Books we have Lost--"The Lost Arts"--The Libraries of St. John + which were Burned--The Pictures which were Lost--The Few that were + Saved--A Talk about Books and Pictures--The Future--What St. John + men must Do--Acknowledgments--Conclusion of the Story of the Fire. + + +It is only when we come to look around us that we can discover how much +we have lost. In one's lifetime a thousand little things are gathered +and put away, and we find ourselves turning to them every now and then. +Money cannot supply these. Many of them are endeared to us through +association. Some are the gifts of friends who have since passed away, +never to return, and others again came into our possession in various +ways. We may supply, with a portion of our insurance money, a few books, +copies of the ones which we have lost, but these will not be the same. +They will not be our copies. We love to read our own books. No Suckling +can be the same as the one we lost the other day. It was not a rich +copy, but it was a whole-souled, generous old fashioned volume, full of +the old Knights daintiest bits of melody. We used to love to linger over +the little age-stained page, and recover lines we had lost. And dear old +Shenstone, too, is gone. We can easily get another Shenstone, but it +won't seem at all like the old copy. In our own books we know just where +to find what we want, and new copies never seem the same. And then there +are books we like to take up now and then, just to fill in the odd +moments of our lives; books of engravings and the like, and volumes of +_Punch_, and great volumes of cartoons of say forty and fifty years ago. +These are all gone now and few can be replaced. + +What great inroads the fire has caused among our private libraries, what +a wreck it has made of those precious books we all loved so dearly. And +those pamphlets, too, upon which we placed so much value, and the +thousand little odds and ends of literature which we so tenderly +gathered year in and year out. And our scrap-books--great, good-natured +fellows, with broad sides and liberal pages, ready to take in all sorts +of matter. These are no more. And whole hosts of unbound magazines, +which we had tied together, and expected every day to send off to the +binders. These are ashes too. We hesitate before we turn over the books +we rescued from the burning, lest we discover greater losses, and miss +fairer treasures. How many sets of books have been destroyed, how many +massive tomes have been withered by the heat, how many dainty books of +poetry have been swept away! + +What lovely companions books are. What glorious friends they make. How +kindly they speak to us and tell us what they think. We read gruff Tom +Carlyle, and pause at his estimate of Cromwell, and hunt through the +histories of England to see what Smollett and Hume have to say about the +same grim protector. We run through a few pages of Taine and discover +how grandly he criticises the masters of English literature, but after +all we go back fondly to our own Arnold, and read what he has to tell us +before we quite make up our mind that the clever Frenchman is right. We +sit at the feet of Holmes and read a chapter or two of his matchless +Autocrat, and then with our mind full of the delicious sweets, we get +down our copy of Hunt and after skimming a page or two of his "Seer," +dip into the crisp and sparkling pages of Hazlitt's _Round Table_. Ah, +yes! the fire may take all else we have if it will only leave us our +books. True, a man, as the bard hath it-- + + "May live without books--what is knowledge but grieving? + He may live without hope--what is hope but deceiving? + He may live without love--what is passion but pining? + But where is the man who can live without dining?" + +But after all the mind craves as much for food of its kind, as the +stomach does for meats and bread. + +Though in St. John we had no public library, there were very many +private collections of books in the city. Some of them were very large +and well-selected. Dr. Wm. Bayard's collection, not one volume of which +was saved, was beyond all question the fullest and ripest medical +library in the Dominion. It was the accumulation of many years. The +collection was begun by his father and added to largely by the Doctor +himself. Some rare medical works, rich in plates, costing as high as L30 +sterling each, were to be found here, besides books covering the whole +range of medical thought and practice. The English classics, exhibiting +the very cream of letters, and some fine specimens of modern literature +filled acceptably the doctors shelves. Not a volume was saved. Indeed a +photograph album was the only article rescued from the burning house. +Mr. James R. Ruel, the Collector of Customs had a fine library, rich in +theology and literature of the higher class. Controversial works, books +of science, and the whole range of British Poetry, ever found a welcome +on Mr. Ruel's library table. In the departments of History and Geography +this library was especially rich and full, and every work of character +about the Reformation in England could here be consulted. Mr. Ruel's +reading in this department was extensive, and he made writings of this +kind his especial study. His whole collection, rare and costly as it +was, and representing the labour of many years, perished before a hand +could be raised in its defence. Mr. B. Lester Peters's library showed +great care and culture in its selection. It too was very complete in +History, Biography, Belles-lettres and Theology. Mr. Peters's fine +literary taste served him well in making his collection of books, and +nearly all his volumes displayed wonderful skill in rich bindings. In +old play-wrights, such as Shakespeare, Jonson, Massinger, Beaumont and +Fletcher, and the other famous ones of that glorious age in +literature--The Elizabethan--Mr. Peters's library was ample. Indeed, in +works of this class no finer collection existed in the city. And in +poetry which exhibited the rarest thoughts of the bards, in the works of +such poets as Milton, Chaucer, Spenser, Dryden, Pope and Clough, Mr. +Peters's shelves contained a perfect mine of wealth. His collection of +pamphlets, the labour of thirty years, was unique and full. He had the +whole of the famous Connolly and Wilmot controversy, the scattered +papers of the late Dr. Gray, the Maturin pamphlets, the Colenso +pamphlets, the notes on the Lost Tribes of Israel, and a thousand +others, neatly and carefully put away in cases specially prepared for +them. Those are all gone, and not a fragment remains. The gorgeous +library of John Boyd, Esq., of Queen Square, with its enormous +collection of works belonging to modern literature, its rare list of old +books, its magnificent sets of presentation volumes from the authors, +its numberless volumes that come from the publishers to Mr. Boyd as +gifts, were swept away in an instant. The books in Mr. Boyd's cases were +a reflex of the owner's taste and judgment. He had not a poor book among +the whole. The entire range of English and American essayists, the whole +course of British and American poetry, the cream of historical books, +the ripest thoughts of the philosopher, the most delightful gems of +fiction, the works of the scientists, and the great tomes of biography, +clad in the most luxuriant of luxurious bindings, were the companions of +Mr. Boyd's study. His lectures, common-place books, scrap-books, in fact +everything which he possessed of a literary character were burned. Even +the literary notes which he made from time to time in his record books +during the odd moments of his too unfrequent leisure, and the bits of +criticism on new poems which he occasionally made for future use on the +platform and elsewhere, perished in his desk. His entire intellectual +labour vanished in an hour. Mr. A. L. Palmer's splendid library with his +own valuable annotations, Mr. A. A. Stockton's voluminous and admirable +library, begun by his late uncle, and Mr. Chas. W. Weldon's Law and +general library were destroyed before their owners could save a single +book. The Rev. Dr. Watters's library, so rich in theology and biography, +was burned almost entirely. Lately large additions had been made to this +delightful collection. A good many of the late Judge Chipman's best +books found their way here, and the most of these were lost. Rev. Mr. +Stavely's books were all burned, and not one of Rev. Mr. Carey's fine +collection escaped. Some of his books were very rare and high-priced. +Mr. Robert Britain's books were of general and private interest. The +former embraced almost the whole range of English literature, and the +latter included the best books on chemistry and science. Indeed in books +belonging to the latter class, it will be difficult to find so large a +collection anywhere. Mr. J. D. Underhill possessed a library of rare +beauty and value. It was very large in historical works and the writings +of the principal British, American and French authors. In biography and +fiction of the higher order there was a good supply. Mr. Underhill, for +several years, had been a great book-buyer, and hardly a trunkfull was +saved. For costly books, handsomely bound, no richer collection existed +in St. John than the splendid library of Mr. Fred. R. Fairweather. He +had the entire set of Balzac's works in the original, luxuriously and +massively bound. His Shakespeares, for he had several editions, +copiously illustrated and exquisitely finished, were bound in heavy +antique morocco. His books of plates, his dramatic library, his +collection of plays of the Cumberland edition, his books on costumes +from the time of the Saxons to our own day, represented large value, and +a refined and cultured taste. In dramatic literature alone, Mr. +Fairweather's library was probably the fullest in the Dominion. Indeed +his loss in this department is a positive loss to literature, and a +collection such as he owned can never be again supplied. Many of the +books are out of print, and cannot be purchased to-day at any price. The +books lost in the city, on the day of the fire, will number many +thousands of volumes. No city of the size of St. John could boast of +finer private collections of books, anywhere. It will be many years +before collections as rich, as unique, and as delightful can be procured +again. + +In pictures, the loss met with is really irreparable. We had no public +gallery, because our citizens, whose means admitted it, purchased for +the walls of their own houses a charming bit of colour now and then, or +a delicate engraving or a drawing. A few of the masterpieces of the +English and American artists found their way here from time to time, and +in the way of engravings the collection was really quite large. We can +only give a tithe of the pictures lost. Dr. McAvenney possessed a +decided gem in water-colour, by Birket Foster, and a charming landscape +in oil from the brush of Mayner, an Irish artist. The latter was a +twenty pounds' picture, and one of the prizes which came to St. John +last year from the Irish Art Union. It was exceedingly vigorous, and, +though small in size, every detail was perfect. In addition to these, +Dr. McAvenney lost several fine engravings and one or two exquisite +drawings. Dr. Wm. Bayard's loss in pictures is quite large. He owned a +capital landscape, _The Vale of Strathmore_, by John Cairns, of +Edinburgh. This was burned, with some others of lesser note, together +with a good many engravings, chiefly London Art Union subjects. Mr. R. +M. Longmaid lost all but one of his pictures. Some of these were of +great value, and included, among a number of others, _Francis I. and +Henry VIII. on the Field of the Cloth of Gold_, by the late G. F. +Mulvany, R.H.A., and one of Cairns' Scotch subjects, showing a striking +bit of Highland scenery, called _Glen Cairn_. The one picture saved was +a Welsh Landscape, by A. Vickers. This had been lent to a friend in the +upper part of the town, and was accordingly not burned. Mr. Charles +Campbell managed to preserve a number of his pictures; among them the +bold _Coast Scene_, by John Cairns, which will be remembered by many who +saw it as a very striking study. Mr. W. C. Perley, among the very few +articles rescued from his house, saved two very pretty little +landscapes, one an Irish scene and the other a delicious specimen of C. +C. Ward's art. Mr. B. Lester Peters lost nearly all of his engravings, +but succeeded in rescuing a study by F. W. Hulme, and a little gem by A. +Vickers. Hon. George E. King saved a few water colours by eminent +British artists, which he had. Mr. Donald G. MacKenzie, who had +half-a-dozen striking oil paintings, recovered them all a few days +after the fire. Mr. John Sears lost heavily in the Department of Art, +but saved his one great picture, a portrait which is an undoubted +Rubens, and one or two family likenesses. Mr. Stephen J. King, whose +treasures consist in drawings by McKewan, Philps and others, and some +oil-paintings, saved them all. Mr. W. P. Dole lost a pair of very +beautiful water-colour drawings of Canadian scenery, by D. Gale, and +three or four excellent engravings. He was fortunate in saving however, +two charming works by Hulme, two small bits by Vickers, two by G. A. +Williams, one of C. C. Ward's pieces, and one of the late John T. +Stanton's best works. Mr. Stanton was a New Brunswick artist of fine +taste and decided skill. Mr. Dole also saved some of his water-colours, +notably those by Bell Smith and Frantz. The author lost an excellent +drawing illustrating an idea in Thackeray, and a number of clever +caricatures from the pencil of an amateur artist, Mr. Forbes Torrance, +of Como, besides several engravings of merit, and a massive bronze +figure representing Painting. Mr. Henry Vaughan lost his large costly +painting from the John Miller collection, of Liverpool, England. Mr. +James Stewart lost his whole collection of paintings; several of these +were of his own work, while a number were by foreign artists. Mr. +Stewart copied a landscape painting by an English artist which came out +here as a prize, some years ago, and when his work was finished and the +two paintings hung side by side, the owner did not know which was his +own picture. This copy was for some days in Mr. Notman's studio before +the fire, and it is believed that it is lost, as no trace has been had +of it. The reader will see from this scanty enumeration of known losses, +how great has been the destruction in art-treasures alone. We have not +even hinted at the wholesale destruction of bronzes, bas reliefs and +bits of sculpture and statuary. In these departments the loss has been +also very severe. No money can replace these treasures. These were the +things which rendered home bright and happy. It is the love of art and +literature which refines and beautifies mankind. It is the book and the +picture, and the figure of pale marble which rouse a thousand new +delights. They take away the brutal in our nature. They lift us up as it +were. We look around the room and the eye rests on something beautiful. +We feed our tastes. The picture on the wall refines us, the open book +fills the mind with a hundred delicate, footless fancies. We breathe a +new air. The etchings on the table, the portfolio of drawings and the +books of engravings give to our mind a delight as wonderful as it is +delicate and delicious. Can money replace these? Can money buy for us +these pictures and books which have been for so many years our +companions and friends? Can money replace the bronze figure? Can money +bring to us again the portrait of the dear one who lies out there in the +green wood buried? Can money supply us with that precious volume of +poetry which the author gave us just a year before he died? We may make +our homes bright again. We may hang pictures on the walls. We may fill +to the full our book-cases and hanging-shelves once more with the great +things in literature, but our thoughts will wander back to the days +before the fire came and robbed us of all those delights which peopled +and filled our homes. But we must not give way altogether to gloom and +despondency. We must try and forget the past and devote all our +energies, all our brains and skill to the rebuilding of the homes and +workshops which have been scattered to the winds. We must never rest +till the great end is accomplished; we must never cease working. As +Christians, as men, as the proud descendants of a sturdy and stalwart +race, we must show the world that we are not a generation of pigmies, +and that from these very ashes and ruins a brighter, a more glorious and +more prosperous city will arise and resume her old place as the +metropolis of the Lower Provinces. + +I have told the story of the great fire in St. John in my own way. I +have tried to do justice to my theme. Like many others I have passed +through the flames, and received as it were my first "baptism of fire." +My book has many imperfections. It was necessary that it should be +hastily prepared. My publishers demanded this, and gave me a fortnight +to write it in. I can therefore claim nothing in favour of the book from +a literary point of view, but this I can claim--the history is reliable +in every particular. Not a statement within its pages was committed to +paper until it was thoroughly and reliably avouched for. I have verified +every word which this volume contains; and while the haste in which it +was prepared precluded my paying much attention to style, the book is a +complete record of the fire as it was, and not as a lively imagination +might like it to be. Before taking leave of my readers, I must publicly +thank Mr. Joseph W. Lawrence for the splendid aid which he gave me in +furnishing the data and historical information about our old churches +and other edifices. I had full access to his records and commonplace +books, and through these means was enabled to verify much that had come +to me in an imperfect condition. To Mr. Gilbert Murdoch, C.E., and Mr. +Wm. Murdoch, C.E., of the Water Works and Sewerage Departments, I must +also return my thanks, for valuable information about the water supply, +for the capital map which accompanies this volume, and for facts +connected with the acreage and streetage of the district burned. General +Warner, Mayor Earle, Mr. A. C. Smith, Mr. John Boyd, Mr. A. P. Rolph, +Mr. Dole, Mr. Hiram Betts, Mr. Elder, Mr. J. L. Stewart, Mr. McDade, Mr. +O'Brien, Mr. Stanley, Mr. G. B. Hegan and others, also largely rendered +me assistance in collecting information, and to these gentlemen I return +my grateful thanks. + +The little picture of the ruins, by moonlight, of the Germain street +Baptist Church, was very kindly supplied by Mr. John C. Miles, a St. +John artist of good reputation. I have great pleasure in acknowledging +his politeness here, and at this time. + +In conclusion, I might add, that to Mr. E. Lantalum belongs the credit +of sounding the first alarm of our great fire. + + +ADDITIONAL LIST OF DONATIONS. + + +MONEY. + + A friend $2 00 + Ailsa Craig Presbyterian Church, Ont. 18 60 + Ayr Knox Church and Sacred Concert 76 00 + Allendale, Ont. Methodist Church 6 60 + Augusta, Me. 820 40 + Barrie, Ont. 166 00 + Baltimore, Md. 80 62 + Bobcaygeon Orangemen 15 00 + Bangor, Me. 5,000 00 + Belfast, Ireland L300 Stg + Buffalo, N. Y. $179 83 + Chicago Union Stock Yards 105 25 + Chippawa, Ont. Trinity Church 38 65 + Chicago Apollo Musical Club, Concert 990 75 + Chicago, Ill. 2,050 00 + Chatham, N. B. 250 00 + Capt. Thompson, ss. "Britannia," 500 00 + Charlottetown, P. E. I. 500 00 + Charlottetown Odd Fellows' Entertainment 208 00 + Departmental Clerks, Ottawa 445 53 + Edinburgh, Scotland L100 Stg + Ed. L. Evans, Rondeau, Ont. $2 00 + E. & J. Burke, Dublin, Ireland 250 00 + Fredericton, N. B. 2,000 00 + Fergus, Ont. 20 50 + Geo. M. Fowler, British Consul, Aenfuegos $100 00 + Glasgow, Scotland L1,000 Stg + Great Western Railway Employees $450 00 + G. W. Davis, Boston, Mass. 14 11 + Galt, Ont., Churches 114 69 + Greenville, Nova Scotia 16 00 + Huron Co. Council, Ont. 2,000 00 + Hayden, Gere & Co., New York 25 00 + Hastings Co. Council Ont. 1,000 00 + Jacob E. Klotz, Hamburg, Ont. 25 00 + Mackenzie, Flatlands, N. B. 2 00 + M. McLeod, Cardigan, P. E. I. 18 20 + Miss Logan, Orillia, Ont. 10 00 + Mansfield, P. E. I. 55 50 + New York 2,105 90 + Oshawa Benevolent Society 30 00 + Petrolia, Penn. 200 00 + Presbyterian Churches, Wentworth, N. S. 13 00 + Pictou, N. S. 5 00 + Portland, Me. 4,500 00 + Philadelphia, Penn. 1,109 80 + Picton, Ont. 300 00 + P. E. I. R. R. Employees 62 45 + Stewiacke 40 00 + St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Chelsea, Mass. 5 00 + Springhill Mines, U. S. 18 95 + Toronto 400 00 + Uxbridge, Ont. 51 40 + Victoria Co. Council, Ont. 400 00 + Wingham, Ont. 15 50 + Woodstock, Ont. Literary Institute 37 25 + Waterloo Co. Council, Ont. 1,000 00 + Woodstock, N. B. 151 00 + Wm. Ingalls, Bolton, England L5 Stg. + Wroxeter and Fardwick Presbyterian Churches $55 24 + Windsor, Ont. 500 00 + Yorkville, Ont. 300 00 + + +SUPPLIES. + + Augusta, Me, clothing. + Brunswick, Me, clothing. + Carter & Co., Elora, Ont., potatoes. + Chicago Union Stock Yards, large quantity supplies. + C. Fawcett, Sackville, N. B., stoves. + D. Fiske, Fredericton, N. B. tracts. + D. G. Smith, Chatham, N. B. clothing. + Isaac M. Bragg, Bangor, Me., clothing. + J. Borland, Bowmanville, stoves. + James Stewart & Co., Hamilton, Ont., stoves. + J. C. Risteen, Fredericton, supplies. + James Hamilton, Port Elgin, potatoes. + J. L. Goodhue, plasterers' hair. + Milwaukee, Wis., supplies. + Montreal, supplies. + Mount Stewart, P. E. I., supplies. + Prof. John Owen, Cambridge, Mass., offers books and magazines + for a library. + Salem, Mass., supplies. + Stewiacke, clothing. + Thurston Hall & Co., Cambridgeport, supplies. + Wm. Openheim & Son, New York, clothing. + + + + +ADDENDA. + +SUPPLEMENTARY DONATIONS. + + +MONEY. + + Bridgetown, Maine $70 00 + Dungannon 29 10 + Cornwall, Ontario 300 00 + Portsmouth, N. H. 697 00 + Salem 70 00 + Newfoundland Government 2,000 00 + Kingston, N. B. 20 00 + Stayner, Ontario 75 00 + Detroit, Michigan 427 81 + Baden, Ontario 2 00 + Stewart Henry, Montreal 25 00 + Bear River, Nova Scotia 105 00 + Hughes, Thomas, London, England L10 00 + St. George's Church, Trenton, Ontario $15 00 + St. John County Agricultural Society 400 00 + Winnipeg _Free Press_ 53 05 + Chesterfield, Ontario, Presbyterian Church 57 00 + Bailey & Noyes, Portland, Maine 25 00 + Port Hope 8 00 + Sydney, C. B. 295 40 + Musquodoboit 5 25 + Listowel, Ontario 140 35 + Coristine, James & Co., Montreal 100 00 + " " Employes 71 60 + Milwaukee, Wisconsin 100 00 + Bark "Cedar Croft," Captain and Crew L5 3 0 + Mayor of Brooklyn, New York $50 00 + Loeser & Co., Brooklyn, New York 50 00 + Winnipeg 300 00 + Bridgewater, Nova Scotia 128 25 + Norfolk County Council, Ontario 500 00 + Ward & Payne, Sheffield, England L10 0 0 + Kingston, Ontario $340 00 + Oakville Odd Fellows' Open-air Concert 75 00 + Victoria, British Columbia 800 00 + Caledonia Restaurant, Winnipeg 21 50 + Mount Stewart, P. E. I. 25 50 + Virginia City, Nevada 250 00 + Thomas Frith & Sons, Sheffield, England 250 00 + Nellie H. Carleton, St. John, N. B. 3 64 + Chicago, Illinois 601 75 + Windsor, Nova Scotia 23 00 + Attleboro 15 21 + Westmoreland and Botsford Parishes, New Brunswick 95 25 + J. J. Ronaldson & Sons, Sheffield, England 97 76 + Diocese of Huron, Ontario 2,000 00 + Toronto "Sons of England," Kent Lodge 30 00 + Trenton Concert 61 00 + Quebec 4,558 85 + Great Western Railroad Employes 300 00 + Methodist and Baptist Churches of Caledonia, N. S. 3 37 + Sent to G. Sidney Smith, Esq., for distribution, + from Major-General and Mrs. Beauchamp Walker L15 0 0 + Mrs. A. G. Foley, Peterboro', Ontario $5 00 + Sent to Rev. Dr. Maclise for distribution:-- + From Houlton, Maine, by John McMaster 250 05 + From Goodwill Church, Montgomery, New York, by + Rev. J. M. Dickson 20 00 + Sent to Oddfellows' Fund:-- + Lynn, Mass., Providence Lodge 50 07 + Clinton, Ontario, Warriner Lodge--Per J. B. King 75 00 + Westville, Nova Scotia, Scotia Lodge 50 00 + Boston Oddfellows--Per Grand Master Perkins 340 00 + Humboldt Bay, Cal., Eureka Lodge 20 00 + Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Woonsocket Lodge 20 00 + Empire Lodge, St. Catharines, Ontario 50 00 + Sarnia Lodge, Sarnia, do. 43 00 + Cuyahoga Lodge, Cleveland, Ohio 50 00 + Romeo Lodge, Stratford 25 00 + Monami Lodge, Mechanics' Falls, Maine 25 00 + Crystal Wave Lodge, Pugwash, Nova Scotia 11 00 + E. Ashley, Wilmot, C. E. 20 00 + Engineering Department I. C. Railway 492 67 + Locomotive Do 1,281 68 + Traffic and other Do 347 70 + J. S. Fry & Son, Bristol, England L10 Stg. + John Carruthers, Kingston, Ont. 100 00 + +From returns in detail, just furnished by the Oddfellows' Lodges, the +results of the fire, in relation to its effects on individual members +appears to have been as follows:-- + + ---------------------------------------------------------------------- + NAME OF | Present |No. of | Dependents | Total Suffer-| Approximate + LODGE. | Member- |Suf- | on | ers and | value of + | ship. |ferers.| Sufferers. | Depend's. | Property lost + | | | | | by Sufferers. + ---------------------------------------------------------------------- + Pioneer, | | | | | + No. 9 | 198 | 78 | 182 | 260 | $392,860 00 + Beacon, | | | | | + No. 12 | 118 | 36 | 94 | 130 | 113,550 00 + Peerless,| | | | | + No. 19 | 83 | 10 | 34 | 44 | 26,560 00 + Siloam, | | | | | + No. 29 | 44 | 28 | 28 | 56 | 24,440 00 + ---------------------------------------------------------------------- + Totals | 443 | 152 | 338 | 490 | $557,410 00 + Less Insurance | 140,052 00 + --------------- + Net approximate Loss | $417,358 00 + ---------------------------------------------------------------------- + +Many of the sufferers had _no_ insurance. The supposed superiority of +the fire department, and general efficiency of the water supply, having +led to a false security--to a popular belief that it was impossible for +St. John to be scourged by fire, as Boston and Chicago had been. + + +SENT TO MASONIC FUND. + + Grand Lodge of Quebec $200 00 + A Brother, Newcastle, N. B. 4 00 + National Lodge, Chicago 23 62 + Knights Templars, Portland, Maine 117 00 + Germania Lodge, Baltimore 18 93 + Grand Lodge, Louisiana 189 00 + Carleton Union Lodge of Carleton, N. B. 50 00 + Grand Lodge of Wisconsin 94 50 + St. John's Lodge, Toronto 150 00 + Phoenix Lodge, Nashville, Tenn. 947 00 + Grand Lodge, Utah 56 70 + St. Andrew's Lodge, Frederickton, N. B. 25 25 + Loge des Coeurs Unis, Montreal 50 00 + Rising Virtue Lodge, Mount Moriah Chapter, + and St. John's Commandery, Bangor, Me. 284 25 + Detroit Commandery 94 50 + Springfield do. 500 00 + + +SUPPLIES. + + Halifax, N. S., 25 Stoves. + Boston Y. M. C. Union, Clothing. + Montreal, Clothing. + Musquodoboit, Clothing. + Toronto, Meats. + Taylor, Robert, Halifax, N. S., Boots. + Peke & Eaton, Halifax, N. S., Tea. + Hart, R. T. & Co., " Supplies. + Victoria Corner, N. B., 12 pairs Boots. + Canterbury Ladies, Bedding. + Bridgetown, N. S., Supplies. + Rev. C. McMullin, Hartland, N. B., Butter. + Norwich, Ontario, Clothing. + Philadelphia Maritime Exchange, Clothing. + Gibson, Alexander, York County, Supplies. + + + + + A BRIEF ACCOUNT + OF THE + FIRE IN THE TOWN OF PORTLAND, + SATURDAY MORNING, 20TH OCTOBER, 1877. + + +Just four months after the great calamity in St. John, the people of the +Town of Portland were called upon to endure a hardship of almost equal +dimensions. In one sense their endurance demanded even greater strength, +for their trouble came, not in summer when the grass was green, and the +air was soft and balmy, but in the very heart of a New Brunswick Fall, +when the wind pierced the coarsest garment, and the ground was white +with frost. It was in the small hours of the morning too, that men and +women, half asleep and palsied by terror, rushed wildly into the street, +shivering with cold and trembling with fear, as they heard the mad bell +tolling the alarm. They lived in the merest tinder boxes, and in many of +these were domiciled three, and sometimes four and five families. It was +a fire of terrible importance, and at one time the destruction of the +whole town was feared. But the lesson which the fire of June 20th +taught had a salutary effect on the people, and, aided by a brave band +of firemen, they made every effort to stay the onward march of the +flames, and in this, success was partly attained. The fire destroyed +seven blocks of buildings, and threw into the street two hundred and +ninety-five families, which numbered, in the aggregate, fully three +thousand persons. Of buildings swept away, there were ninety-seven +dwelling houses, the Methodist Church and the Temperance Hall. The +actual loss is estimated at two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and +the insurance scarcely reaches the sum of seventy thousand dollars. One +man suffered a horrible death, and a number of people were injured more +or less seriously. The fire was indeed a sore and bitter trial, and had +it not been that the community had only a short time before experienced +the horrors of the greater conflagration, the present calamity would +have ranked as one of the great fires of Canada. Coming so soon after +the St. John's scourge, men failed to realize at once the magnitude of +destruction which it caused. But those who had twice passed through the +flames knew to their cost, and realized in an instant, what it was to be +burned out a second time. Seven hundred persons from the burnt district +of St. John's had taken up their residence in the suburban town. They +were in most cases poor in a pecuniary sense, but their bands were +strong, and their hearts were not downcast. The flames had carried away +all their earthly possessions, and they found themselves the day after +the fire comparatively penniless. But there was work to do, and these +men and women sternly resolved to do it. They removed to Portland, +secured quarters there, and had just completed their arrangements for +the winter, when this fresh trouble broke out, and once more they found +themselves, with twenty-three hundred others, in the street without a +home, and no sheltering roof over their heads. Their lot was indeed a +sad one, and no wonder is it, that some of them were loud in complaint, +and that many, women walked down from Fort Home that day, and wept +bitterly at the heartrending sight which met their eyes. They saw +desolation on the plain below, and tall chimneys kept watch and ward +over a field of smouldering embers. The steam engines still continued to +play on the dying flames, though the sixth hour of the fire had long +since passed away, and men in command hurried along the streets now +giving orders, and now working with the rank and file, striving to save +what remnants of property yet remained unburned, and caring for the +immediate needs of sufferers. + +The fire broke out at a quarter to three o'clock in the morning, and +originated in a wood-house in the centre of the block, between Main and +High Streets. This wood-house was in the rear of Henry Pratt's house, +and as fire had been discovered in this locality, twice recently, many +believed that it was the fiendish work of an incendiary. The fire spread +with great rapidity, though there was little wind at the time, and by +three o'clock the entire block, Main Street on the north, Chapel Street +on the south, Acadia Street on the east, and Portland Street on the west +was one mass of flame. In another hour the fire raged more violently, +and was extending to the lower streets. The firemen, who were early on +the spot, worked with untiring energy, and displayed almost superhuman +endurance and wonderful courage. Aid from the city came very soon after +the fire was observed, and the new contingent also worked with admirable +nerve, and exhibited splendid skill in preventing the conflagration from +spreading. Members of the Town Council, with Chairman Henry Hilyard at +their head, made extraordinary efforts to keep the flames back, and +indeed the whole arrangements for fighting the fire were excellently +conceived and well carried out. + +At five o'clock the fire had reached its height. The blocks from Main +Street to High Street, inclusive, were completely obliterated, and only +gaunt chimneys remained. From High Street to the very water's edge the +flames sped on unresisted. Camden Street was burning, the large houses +on the foot of Portland Street, the houses from Temperance Hall, in +Simonds Street to Thomson's slip were consumed. Rankin's wharf with +immense piles of dressed lumber was threatened with immediate +extinction. The steamers "Ida Whittier," "Xyphus," and "Victor," were for +a time in danger. Three tug boats arrived opportunely, and the water +which they threw saved the wharf and lumber. At half-past eight the fire +was subdued. + +The property destroyed consisted of all the houses in Main Street +between Jones's corner and Orange corner; all on Chapel Street, all on +Acadia Street except a small block and the greater part of Chapel +Street; all along the east side and part of the west side of Portland +Street, the east side of Simonds Street from High Street to the water, +and both sides of Camden Street. Of course a great deal of drunkenness +prevailed and numerous arrests were made. Thieving, as usual, was +largely indulged in. + +The saddest event of the day was the loss of life. George Baxter, a ship +carpenter, who dwelt in High street, was found in a charred state in the +ruins of his house. It is thought he went in to save some of his +effects, and being unable to make his way out again he was smitten to +the ground and suffered one of the most terrible of deaths. The other +casualties were John Henry Maher, slightly injured, James Ennis badly +cut on the head. Nicholas Ryan fell off Dickinson's house, Chapel +Street, and sustained serious bruises. Mrs. Reed was struck by a falling +ladder. John Cobalan, jr., had one of his fingers broken, and Mrs. +Nowlan was slightly hurt. Wm. Carr and James Kennedy were injured +slightly. + +The destruction of the Methodist Church is a very serious loss. It was +built in the year 1841, and succeeded the structure built in 1828, which +was destroyed in the former year. The first trustees were Alex. McLeod, +Samuel H. McKee, George Whittaker, William Nesbit, H. Hennigar, Robert +Chestnut, Robert Robertson, G. T. Ray, John B. Gaynor, George Lockhart, +James Bustin, John Owens and Francis Jordan, Rev. Messrs. R. Williams, +J. B. Story, and S. Busby were strong supporters of the church in its +young days and were long identified with its interests. On the first +Sunday after the fire of 1841 the congregation met in the open air and +prayed and sang hymns. The Rev. Mr. Allen addressed the people from a +rock. Rev. Mr. Teed was the pastor at the time of the present fire. When +he came to preside over its destinies he found the church struggling +with a debt, and he worked with great zeal to free it from this burden. + +The Temperance Hall was one of the most useful institutions in the town, +and many will deplore the destruction of this building. + +The following is a complete list of the buildings burned. The first name +mentioned in each case is that of the owner, the other, that of the +occupants:-- + + _Main street, south side, from Acadia street to Portland + Street._--Mr. Woods, occupied by self as a boarding house, and by + R. Jones as a grocery store--two families. + + Andrew Pratt, by self as a dwelling; Miss Pratt as millinery store; + Henry Pratt, as dwelling; and by Mr. Hopkins as a book store--4. + + Chas. Long, James Meally, tin shop; Robt. Adamson, and John W. + Perkins--3. + + Wm. Gray, by self, Gray & Scott, meat store; Mrs. Cotner--4. + + Widow Gordon, by self as a grocery store and dwelling--1. + + Widow McJunkin, by self as a boarding house, and by Robert C. + Gordon, as a liquor store, and by John S. Mitchell--3. + + John Bradley, by A. G. Kearns, as a grocery and liquor store--1. + + Thos. McColgan, by T. M. & S. B. Corbett, groceries; Thos. + McMasters, hair-dressing saloon; John Carlin, S. R. Lindsay, Wm. + Hooper, Messrs. Kyle & Tait--7. + + _Portland street, east side, from Chapel to Main street._--Thomas + McColgan, by self as a liquor store; Edward Brown, Joshua + Russel--3. + + _Chapel street, north side, east from the Pond to Portland + street._--Wm. Dickson's house (damaged), by self, Robert Currie, + Widow McAnulty, Arthur McCauslin--4. + + Widow Farson, by self, Wm. Conway, Widow Gallagher, Geo. Kimball, + Daniel Leary, John Mohan, Jas. Daley, Mrs. Daley, Mrs. Knowles, + Chase & McCallum--11. + + Charles Long, by self, John Law--2. + + Barn belonging to Wm. Gray. + + Barn belonging to Robt. Gordon. + + Barn belonging to John McJunkin estate. + + Barn belonging to John Bradley. + + _Chapel street, south side, from Portland street east to + Water._--Miss Mary Long, by Mrs. McArthur, Mr. Appleby and Mrs. + Gorral--3. + + Chas. Long, by self and son as grocery and dwelling; Chas. Colwell, + Alex. Long, Abraham Craig--5. + + Mrs. Nancy Lackey, by Local Preacher Oram, Miss McJunkin, John + McJunkin--3. + + Joseph Reed, by Samuel Baker, Frank Crawford--2. + + Barn belonging to Sarah Irvine. + + Arthur Rodgers, by self, Mrs. Clancey, Arthur Desmond and Mr. + Long--4. + + Widow Sullivan, by Thos. Sullivan--1. + + John Damary, by self and Thos. Damary--2. + + John Corrigan, by self--1. + + Thos. Currie, by self and John Quinn--2. + + Wm. King's house, damaged considerably. + + _Acadia street, east side, from High street to Main street._--Mrs. + Sarah Irvine, occupied by self, Thomas Kerr, Nancy Irvine, Messrs. + Campbell & Hartt--5. + + Geo. McMonagle, by self as a grocery and dwelling; Widow Nelson, + William McGuire, John McGuire, David Smith--5. + + Mrs. Farson, by Mrs. Gallaher, Mrs. McCacherin--2. + + Geo. McMonagle, by Thomas Sharp and Patrick Bogan--2. + + Alex. Duff (house damaged considerably), by Thomas McGill and Henry + McCarthy--2. + + _Acadia street, west side, from High to Main street._--Joseph Reed, + by self, Andrew Crawford, Wm. McConnell, Mrs. Wark--4. + + Widow Farson, by self as grocery and liquor shop and dwelling; + Jeremiah Sullivan, James Brown, David McBurney, Jeremiah Speight, + widow Marley--6. + + _Portland street, east side, from High street to Main + street._--John Connolly, by Messrs. Smith, as a grocery store, + Capt. Rawlings, of the Portland Police, and by David Speight, as a + boarding house--3. + + Methodist Parsonage, occupied by Rev. Mr. Teed, Pastor of the + Portland Methodist Church--1. + + [The houses of Mr. McColgan are mentioned in connection with + buildings on Main and Chapel streets.] + + _High street, north side, from Portland street east to + water._--John Brooks, by George Wetmore, Wm. C. Dunham--2. + + Thomas Polly, by self, John Alcorn, John Humphreys--3. + + George Smith (brick cottage), by self and Robert Smith--2. + + George Ruddock, by self and George Brown--2. + + Widow Ruddock, by Mr. Ellis--1. + + Andrew Myles, by self, Messrs. Porter and Rogers--3. + + Edward Sergeant, by self and Mr. Stantiford--2. + + George Young, by self and Mrs. Upham--2. + + Robert Ewing, by self, Walter Brown, R. A. H. Morrow--3. + + Edward Elliot, by Geo. Jenkins, John Green, Frank Wallace--3. + + Capt. Aubrey, by self and Mr. Reed--2. + + Edward Elliott, by self and Mr. McAllister--2. + + _Portland street from Rankin's wharf to Camden street._--Alex. -- + Ferguson, by self, Captain Buckhard, and Wm. Sleeth. + + Hugh Montague, Robert and Joseph Carson--3. + + John Irvine, by self and Widow Craig. + + John McCachney, by self, mother and Jas. McCachney. + + Geo. Carter, by self, Joseph Murphy, Geo. Carter, Jr.--3. + + T. Travis, by self, as grocery and liquor store and dwelling. + August Mavison, Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Riley and another--5. + + _Camden street, south side, from Portland street to Acadia + street._--James Bartlett, by self, Henry Bartlett, Archibald + Tatton, Capt. Bartlett, James Tubman--5. + + John McJunkin, by self, Capt. Charles Harper, Harry Bassett--3. + + Arthur Kyle, by self, John Cunningham, John O'Connell, Mr. Rebels, + Mrs. McDormott, William, John Hammond--6. + + _Acadia street, from Camden South to water._--Daniel O'Hara, by + self, and Chas. Hara--2. + + Patrick Dawson, by self, Peter Nelson, and a family from the City + burnt district--3. + + Mrs. Hamilton, by self--1. + + Wm. Carter, by self--1. + + _Portland street, west side, from Camden to High street._--Wm. + McIntyre, by self, Geo. Giggy, Geo. Morgan, James Power, Harry + Stephens, Wm. Gillan, and a family from the City burnt district--7. + [In rear house belonging to David Breen, occupied by self and N. + Frizzle.] + + Thomas McMasters, by self, John Boyd, Widow McJunkin, James Ryder, + Messrs. Mullay, Brown and Christopher--7. + + Widow Kerr, by self--1. [Mr. Murdock's house in rear, by one + tenant--1.] + + Wm. A. Moore, occupied by self as a dwelling, John Currie, + groceries; James Pender, Joseph McIntyre, the Misses Darrah--5. + + _Portland street, east side, from Camden to High street._--Richard + Anderson, by self and Samuel Devennie--2. + + Richard Anderson, by William Hill, as a grocery store and dwelling; + John Rubins, tailor shop, James McCord--4. + + Robert McIntyre, by Bernard Gallagher, dwelling and grocery store, + Samuel ----rett, Richard McIntyre--3. + + Robert McIntyre, by self, Ike Munroe, Oliver Colwell, Robert Black, + Ca---- ----rrington--5. + + Wm. McIntyre, by Wm. Maxwell and Robert McMurray--2. + + Wm. McIntyre, by Jacob Brown, Misses Sharp, Duke Brown, Geo. + DeLong, Levi DeLong--5. [House in rear occupied by Joseph Lee and + John Mullay--2.] + + Benj. Lawton, by self and brother--2. + + _Camden street, north side, from Simonds east to water._--Thos. W. + Peters, by Thomas Mansfield, as a dwelling and a grocery store, + John Nowlin, Jeremiah Sullivan and two others--5. + + Thos. W. Peters, by Mr. Leonard and Edward Cutten--2. + + John Higgins, by self--1. + + George Grear, by self, John Ross, John Cooper, Mr. McLean--4. + + Richard Anderson, by Harry Laskey, John Thompson, Miss Osborne--3. + + Widow Wilson, by self, H. Brockings, Widow Bailey--4. [Unoccupied + house in rear.] + + Stephen Murphy, by self, Messrs. Hamilton, Ralston and Hoolahan--4. + + _Acadia street, west side, from Camden to High street._--Wm. + Searle, by Hugh Hutchinson, Wm. Bell--2. + + James Bartlett, by David Doherty, Mr. Fitzgerald--2. + + Robt. McKay, by self, Messrs. Irvine and Munroe--3. + + Mr. Reed, by Thomas Graham and another--2. [Rear house owned by Mr. + Reed.] + + Thomas Youngclaus, by Messrs. Stayhorn, Kirk and Beaton--3. + + James Kyle, by self and Mr. McGee--2. + + Widow Ruddock, by self and a family whose name could not be + learned--2. + + Wm. Elliott, by self, James Smith and John Devennie--3. + + _Acadia street, east side, from Camden street to High + street._--John H. Crawford, by self, as a grocery and dwelling--1. + + Thomas Gillespie, by Mr. Tait, Joseph Allen, Widow Garvey and Widow + Boyne--4. + + _High street, south side, westward from water._--John McDermott, by + self, Patrick Carlin and Thomas Smith--3. + + Miss Daley, by Wm. Peacock, Widow Knodell and Joseph Speight--3. + + George Baxter, by self as dwelling and grocery store; and by Mr. + Dunham--1. + + Geo. Baxter, by Messrs. Wilson, and Kirk and another--3. + + Widow Young, by self, Wm. Young, and George Easty--3. + + Patrick Flynn, by Messrs. Stack and Thompson Kennedy, and Widow + Logan--3. + + James Scott, by self, and James Barbour--2. + + Joseph Sullivan, by self--1. + + Joseph Logan, by self, Widow Buchanan, Widow McDermott--3. + + Temperance Hall, owned by Governor Tilley, J. C. Edwards, and + Portland Division, S. of T. + + _Simonds street, east side, from High street to water._--Andrew + Johnston's house, occupied by four families--1. + + Paul Gillespie, by John Buckley, James Gillespie, and Mr. + Akerley--2. + + Widow, by self, James Spence, and Charles Brown, and two others--5. + + Widow Crawford, by self, as dwelling and grocery shop, and by James + Buckley--2. + + Alex. Urquhart, by self--1. + + Thos. W. Peters, by Widow Morrison, John Morrison and Mrs. + Wilson--3. + + + LOSSES OF INSURANCE COMPANIES. + + + PROVINCIAL. + + Thos. McColgan, $1600 + Methodist Church, 3000 + Wm. Elliott, 1200 + Chas. Long, 1200 + Mrs. S. J. Young, 500 + R. Jones, 600 + ------ + Total, $8100 + + + LANCASHIRE. + + Capt. Aubrey, $800 + Thos. Travis, 800 + Other claims about, 1400 + ------ + Total, $3000 + + + NORTHERN. + + Methodist Church, $4000 + Mrs. Buchanan, 1000 + Geo. Baxter, 800 + Robt. McHarg, 800 + ------ + Total, $6600 + + + NORTH BRITISH AND MERCANTILE. + + Mrs. Gordon, $900 + John Connolly, 1600 + T. W. Peters, 2500 + Methodist Church (re-insurance), 1000 + ------ + Total, $6000 + + + QUEEN. + + Geo. Ruddock, $1200 + Methodist Mission House, 2400 + James Scott, 1700 + H. Montague, 800 + John McKechnie, 800 + Robert Rankin, 2000 + Do., 1500 + R. Ewing, 1200 + E. Sargent, 800 + E. Elliott, 1000 + A. Johnston, 700 + Jas. Pender, 500 + Estate Jas. Kerr, 600 + ------ + $15,200 + Partial losses, 1000 + ------ + Total, $16,200 + + + CITIZENS'. + + Messrs. Corbett, 400 + Mrs. Farson, 1200 + Wm. McIntyre, 1250 + Chas. Long, 1100 + John Bradley, 400 + David Breen, 300 + Wm. Gray, 200 + Mary Long, 400 + Thomas McMaster, 600 + R. McIntyre, 700 + Arthur Rodgers, 700 + Thomas Youngclaus, 800 + ------ + Total, $8050 + + + ROYAL CANADIAN. + + Mary Ann Daley, $600 + + + CANADA FIRE AND MARINE. + + Thomas Aubrey, $100 + Mary Long, 300 + John McDermott, 600 + Ann Leckey, 500 + Margaret Curry, 200 + R. C. Gordon, 1200 + G. F. Smith, 800 + Gertrude Farson, 1500 + F. C. Dunham, 550 + G. F. Jenkins, 500 + John Greer, 500 + John Reed, 200 + ------ + Total, $6950 + + + AETNA. + + G. McMonagle, $1000 + McIntyre, 600 + James Bartlett, 300 + A. R. Ferguson, 2000 + ------ + Total, $3900 + + + HARTFORD. + + Jos. Stubbs, $500 + Jas. Boyle, 400 + John Brook, 1000 + Geo. R. Rigby, 300 + Richard Anderson, 1000 + ------ + Total, $3200 + + + IMPERIAL. + + R. A. H. Morrow, $200 + R. Flynn, 1000 + Samuel Gillespie, 1200 + John Brook, 1000 + Wm. Ruddock, estate, 1400 + Mrs. Sarah Irvine, 800 + Robert Rankine, 1500 + ------ + Total, $7100 + + + BRITISH AMERICAN. + + James Bartlett, $400 + Mrs. S. Osborne, 100 + ------ + Total, $500 + + + ISOLATED RISK. + + R. Jones, $ 500 + Chas. Long, 400 + ------ + Total, $900 + + The Guardian, $4000 + The National, 500 + Western, 200 + +At eleven o'clock the Portland Town Council met to consider the best way +in which relief for the sufferers could be administered. The Mayor of +St. John, Dr. Earle, the High Sheriff, and Harris Allan, Esq., of the +Relief and Aid Society, were present. On motion it was resolved that +the council should attend to the wants of the homeless, and committees +were immediately appointed to perform the various duties incumbent on +them. These were Couns. Chesley and Munro, to look up school-houses; +Couns. McLean and Holly, clearing engine house; Couns. Puddington and +Cochran, securing cooking stoves; Couns. Purdy and Hamilton, supplying +provisions; Couns. Gilbert and Austin, straw mattrasses; Chairman, H. +Hilyard and Couns. Chesley, Shelter, His Lordship Bishop Sweeny, and +Messrs. Robert H. Flaherty, and F. Hazen having offered the committee +the use of their buildings, were publicly thanked for their kindly +forethought. On the night of the fire upwards of fifty families were +provided with shelter by the authorities. + +On Monday, 22nd October, at a general meeting of St. John Relief +Committee, it was decided that temporary relief should be at once given +to the poor. This lasted one week. At the expiration of that time the +Board of Directors, consisting of the whole Council of the Town of +Portland were in a position to administer their own relief. The +committees of the societies are as follows:-- + + +EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. + +The Chairman, and Messrs. Chesley, Duff, Puddington and Cochran. + + +SHELTER COMMITTEE. + +Messrs. Gilbert, Austin, Purdy and J. H. Parks. + + +VISITING COMMITTEE. + +Chairman, and Messrs. Holly and Maher. + + +SUBSCRIPTION COMMITTEE. + +Messrs. Puddington, Cochran, Maher and Holly. + +A very efficient ladies' committee was promptly organized, and through +their noble efforts a vast deal of suffering was prevented, Mrs. Simon +Baizley, Mrs. Barnhill, Mrs. D. B. Roberts, Mrs. Thomas Hilyard, Mrs. +Teed, Mrs. Almon and others comprised this committee. + +Up to November 28th, 1877, the following donations have been received in +aid of the people who were burnt out:-- + + +CASH. + + St. John Relief Committee $5,000 00 + Hon. Isaac Burpee 100 00 + Rev. Wm. Armstrong 25 00 + Rev. Geo. Armstrong 20 00 + George A. Schofield 10 00 + A. Cochran, Halifax, N. S. 1 00 + Mrs. Parnther 5 00 + Rev. T. Partridge, collection taken at Rothsay 30 50 + G. Sidney Smith, Esq., 10 00 + Draft from Wheelright, Anderson & Co. Boston, + Mass., $50 American currency 48 50 + Norman Robertson 10 00 + Wm. Wright, Esq., Liverpool, England, L100 stg. 479 32 + Wm. Shives Fisher 4 00 + Proceeds of entertainment at Fairville 50 70 + Proceeds lectures by Bishop Fallowes of the + Reformed Episcopal Church 45 00 + Collection from St. Jude's Church, S. S. + Thanksgiving Day 12 75 + George W. Roberts, Liverpool 100 00 + + +SUPPLIES. + + P. Nase & Son, twenty barrels potatoes, one chest tea. + Vroom & Arnold, thirty barrels potatoes. + James J. Follows, two barrels cabbages. + Chas., Fawcett, (Sackville, N. B.) four stoves. + Manchester, Robertson & Allison, goods to amount of one hundred + dollars. + Geo J. Fisher, thirty rolls roofing paper. + Thomas Cusack, blankets to value of $75. + + + + +Transcriber's Note + + +Illustrations have been moved near the relevant section of the text. + +I have used "=" in the text to denote use of an ornamental font. + +Inconsistencies have been retained in hyphenation, punctuation, +spacing between initials, spacing between alphabetic sections in +lists, italicization and capitalization except where indicated in +the list below. Alphabetization of list items has been left as-is +as has double punctuation such as ".:". The author has stated that +this book "has many imperfections" due to the speed in which it was +prepared in order to meet the publisher's timeline. It is clear that +some sections of the text were more carefully edited than others +prior to publishing. Consequently, I have made (and notated) +typographical corrections only for sections in which the majority of +the text adheres to a general standard of hyphenation, punctuation, +etc. + +Within Footnote "M," there is a picture of a pointing hand within the +text. Instead of the hand symbol, I used "==>". + +Here is a list of the minor typographical corrections made: + + - "1831" changed to "1841" on Page iv + - "Palace" changed to "Place" on Page v + - "Andrews" changed to "Andrew's" on Page v + - Period added after "Cent" on Page vi + - "Elgir" changed to "Elgin" on Page 32 + - Period removed ampersand on Page 32 + - "D. D." changed to "D.D." on Page 43 + - "to day" changed to "to-day" on Page 45 + - "hun" changed to "hundred" on Page 57 + - Text before "Legislature" is unclear and has been replaced by a + long dash + for Footnote E at the end of Chapter V + - Long space removed between "priests" and "who" on Page 75 + - Period added after "Friary" on for Footnote E at the end of + Chapter VI + - "gronnds" changed to "grounds" on Page 85 + - Comma added after "Esq." on Page 87 + - "The" changed to "the" for Footnote "M" at the end of Chapter + VII + - Comma changed to period after "Holmes" for Footnote "M" at the end + of Chapter VII + - Comma changed to a period after "eyes" on Page 102 + - Period added after "A" on Page 111 + - Period added after "BANK" on the caption for the illustration that + is now on Page 113 + - Extra space removed after "that" on Page 117 + - Period added after "Capt" on Page 126 + - Double quote added before "O" on Page 132 + - Comma added after "&c." on Page 132 + - Period added after "Mr" on Page 134 + - "Esq,," changed to "Esq.," on Page 135 + - "Esq,," changed to "Esq.," on Page 137 + - "the" added before "loveliest" on Page 140 + - Period added after "St" on Page 141 + - Period added after "Street" on Page 143 + - Period added after "side" on Page 151 + - Period added after "Rev" on Page 165 + - "p 166." removed from the anchor to Footnote S on page 165 since it + refers to placement of the footnote in the printed version of book + - "citty," changed to "Citty" followed by an emdash on Page 167 + - Period added after "present" on Page 167 + - "depart ments" changed to "departments" on Page 182 + - Comma removed after "Mouldings" on Page 185 + - Comma removed after "Brunswick" on Page 185 + - Comma removed after "Scotia" on Page 185 + - Comma removed after "Montreal" on Page 185 + - Comma added after "Cameron" on Page 185 + - Comma removed after "Co." on Page 185 + - Comma added after "Coughlan" on Page 186 + - Comma removed after "jr." on Page 186 + - Comma added after "Torre" on Page 187 + - Comma removed after "Logan" on Page 192 + - Comma added after "Leonard" on Page 192 + - Comma added after "Lipman" on Page 192 + - Comma added after "Littlejohn" on Page 192 + - Comma added after "May" on Page 193 + - Comma removed after "Pengilly" on Page 196 + - Space added after "Stewart" on Page 200 + - "Auctioner" changed to "Auctioneer" on Page 200 + - Comma added after "Wetmore" on Page 201 + - "Oddfellows" changed to "Odd Fellows" to match + Table of Contents on Page 203 + - Period added after "due" on Page 203 + - "bbls." changed to "bls" on Page 220 + - "ORTH" changed to "NORTH" on Page 221 + - Comma removed after "McNamara" on Page 223 + - Comma removed after "Homer" on Page 233 + - Comma removed after "McLaughlin" on Page 233 + - Colon after "$1,250" changed to a semicolon on Page 239 + - "fir" changed to "fire" on Page 241 + - "hese" changed to "These" on Page 248 + - Comma added after "happy" on Page 248 + - "1,000" changed to "$1,000" on Page 252 + - Period changed to a comma after "volume" on Page 259 + - "iscover" changed to "discover" on Page 260 + - Comma added after "works" on Page 262 + - "a a" changed to "a" on Page 264 + - Comma changed to a period after "Ont" on Page 271 + - Comma changed to a period after "Me" on Page 271 + - $ added before "2" on Page 271 + - There is an initial after "Alex.", but it is unclear. I have + replaced it with a short dash on Page 286 + - The name after "Samuel" is unclear. I have replaced the missing + section with a long dash on Page 287 + - Both names are unclear. I have replaced the missing sections with + long dashes on Page 287 + - Period added after "Mrs" on Page 288 + - Comma added after "about" on Page 288 + - Comma removed after "stg." on Page 292 + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Great Fire in St. +John, N.B., June 20th, 1877, by George Stewart + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE GREAT FIRE *** + +***** This file should be named 39260.txt or 39260.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/2/6/39260/ + +Produced by Robin Monks, Linda Hamilton, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |